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Interstate 69: Exploring 21st Century Transportation Politics

Dan JohnstonIndiana University ~ 2 May 2014

Only new-terrain/new-construction project in 21st Cent.

1991 Intermodal Surface Trans. Efficiency Act

NAFTA Superhighway

Problem Statement

Layered power structures and relationships

Hegemonic discourse used by ‘state’ actors

Rural citizens turn to NGOs for more representative advocacy

Problem Statement

Layered power structures and relationships

Hegemonic discourse used by ‘state’ actors

Rural citizens turn to NGOs for more representative advocacy

1) How do existing power relationships play a role in the implementation of a large-scale public infrastructure project, such as the I-69 Extension in Indiana?

2) In the case of the I-69 Extension, what discursive methods do states, individuals, and NGOs use to construct narratives aligned with their interests? Which discourses may be considered hegemonic? How do these actors ensure that their discourse attain and maintain this status?

3) In what ways do rural citizens wield their relatively inferior political power in the face of strong external interests? Is there a pronounced rural deficit apparent when it comes to the democratic process and access to political channels?

Research Questions

Cultural Geography Roads are used as imperialist tools

Roads are at odds with the pastoral

Social and Economic Theory Power and the production of space

Neoliberalism NAFTALiterature and

background

Transportation Geography Focus on urban Move toward qualitative approaches

Interstate 69 Discourse Press State Documents Cost-Benefit Analyses

Literature and background, cont.

{Survey

Rural populationPolitical

participationPerceptio

ns of power and discourse

Research Methods

Research Methods, cont.

Semi-structured Interviews State and local lawmakers

Transportation officials

Citizen actors

Archival Legislative Sessions

DOT Documents NGO Documents Media/Press

Analytical Approach Textual analysis Content analysis Discourse deconstruction

Research Methods, cont.

Issues and discussion

Activity

MayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay

Preparation

Conduct InterviewsConduct SurveysArchival ResearchManuscript PreparationResearch Presentation

{Access to the site and individualsSubjects’ and researcher’s biasIssues and

discussion, cont.

{Social Cost of I-69 ConstructionNation Building at home

Intellectual Merit & Broader Impacts