THE INTERNATIONAL-POLITICS OF NATIONAL-PARKS

National parks are the keystone institutions of environmental conserva tion. Because national parks make certain lands part of the state itse lf, international agencies and nongovernmental organizations that prom ote national parks propose, in effect, to alter the state, as well as the local economy and state relations with social groups. Has internat ional political pressure caused states to create national parks? I con sider whether countries highly involved in international politics have the largest proportions of land in national parks. I conclude that ma ny states create minimal park systems as symbolic gestures to the inte rnational community. Field researchers may find if easier to explain t he success or failure of parks if they identity why state officials de cide that adopting international conservation norms will enhance state authority over people and state sovereignty over land.