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Perhaps the most fundamental question to be asked when thinking about growth is, “Whose side are you on?” We all tend to identify ourselves as members of some groups and opponents of others. Not surprisingly, we also tend to favor policies that advance the interests of our groups at the expense of opposing groups. The first part of the questionnaire asks you to assess the degree of identification and sympathy that you feel with several prominent constituency groups. More importantly, however, we would like you to reflect upon the reasoning behind your decisions, and what it might take to persuade you to broaden your group identification. How much do you identify with each of these groups? Identification level: Newcomers – People who recently moved into a rapidly growing community.Old-Timers – Long-time residents who have lived in an area before a recent influx of newcomers. Environmentalists – People who tend to identify themselves as supporters of the political agenda of environmental interest groups. Recreationists – People who value natural areas for their recreational opportunities (e.g. birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking, running, hunting, fishing, etc.). Business/Development Interests – Executives, employees, and supporters of businesses active in the development projects associated with growth. Social Groups – People who tend to identify themselves as members of religious, racial, gender, or ethnic groups. Economic Groups – People united by similar economic circumstances. Neighbors – People who live in your immediate vicinity, and with whom you interact on a day-to-day basis. |
Also available: General Environmental Dispute Simulation
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