This volume demonstrates that the "progressive" goal of achieving scientific management of the public lands has not been realised; instead, public land management has been dominated by interest group politics and ideology. It analyses public land policy and documents major failures.

One of the leading experts on public lands and land rights issues, Robert H. Nelson here brings together a collection of his finest essays. Nelson demonstrates that the 'progressive' goal of achieving scientific management of public lands has not been realized; instead, public land management has been dominated by interest group politics and ideology.