Module V - Musings & Blog It!

No matter where you are, we're glad you're here!

Essential Questions for Module V

• What have been the major components of the Alaska economy during the American Period, 1867 - Present?
• How are the major components of the economy interconnected?
• How is the Alaska economy a reflection of diverse, and sometimes conflicting,  perspectives of the natural landscape?

Musings

From "What Drives the Alaska Economy?"  slide #16
Scott Goldsmith, UAA Institute of Social and Eco. Research
Jan. 2009

By this point you may be thinking, Enough! Yes, in this module you have been presented with a massive amount of complex information.  You may be feeling overwhelmed.  But, there is one more piece to add to this complexity of the Alaska economy before we can get our arms around all of these puzzle pieces.

While this module has been about the Alaska economy based largely on the extraction of natural resources, a third critical sector of the economy is actually expenditures by the federal government.

Alaska has received, per capita, more federal funding than any other state.  This has created a dependence on the federal government that belies our natural resources base - or at least complicates the economic picture.

"What Drives the Alaska Economy?"
slide #25, Scott Goldsmith
UAA Institute of Soc/Eco Research
Jan. 2008

Land ownership in Alaska is:  federal government 59%, state government 28%, Native corporation (private) 12%, all other private land 1%.  Consider the implications of these proportions.

Federal government expenditures account for 34% of the Alaska economy.  The petroleum sector accounts for 32%. Everything else - fishing, tourism, hard minerals mining, timber, international air cargo...everything, is about 34%. So, actually there is about a three-way split between the oil industry/ related businesses, federal government spending, and all the rest.

"What Drives the Alaska Economy?"
Scott Goldsmith, UA Research Summary No.3
UAA ISER  Dec. 2008

It's very easy to not be aware of the federal government influence on the Alaska economy in part because Alaskans have gotten so used to it.  It includes everything from all of the military bases/personnel, every federal agency, federal grants, and procurement.

During former Senator Ted Stevens' tenure in the U.S. Senate, Alaska enjoyed unprecedented federal largess.  With changes on both the federal and state levels, this flow of federal money is decreasing. 


Is Alaska still a colony? 
The federal government continues to own and manage nearly 60% of all of Alaska's lands. Since the late 1980's it has also managed game harvests on those lands.  There are still Alaskans who make the claim that until Alaska develops more secondary processing of its resources and is more assertive in its relationship to the federal government, it will never fully reap the full benefits of its resource development. Certainly the theme regarding Alaska-federal government relations helped lead to statehood.

You should have many puzzle pieces of Alaska history/economy now for your use.  Can you pick up some pieces and put them together?

EXPLORE SOME MORE....

Select one of these research papers to examine; each provide an excellent analysis of the 

current Alaska economy.  

Univ. AK-Anchorage ISER economist Scott Goldsmith: 

• What Drives the Alaska Economy? #1247    
• Structural Analysis of the Alaska Economy: What are the Drivers? #1239 

UA-Fairbanks historian Terrence Cole:

• Blinded by Riches:The Prudhoe Bay Effect #1109

Univ. AK-Anchorage ISER economist Gunnar Knapp 

• Alaska's People and Economy, 1867-2009 #1277

EXPLAIN

applicant.com

As you write your blog for this Module V, consider this claim that Alaska still has the status of of a colony (unofficially) of the United States, and that the economy is a demonstration of this status.

Blog It!

This is where you take a few moments to review the various sections of Module V and select two questions to respond to in your blog. One Essential Question and one Examine Question.

The Basics
Review the Essential Questions and the Examine Questions for this module.  Select two questions for which to compose your blog responses.  

Beyond the Basics
To your Extend your perspective and score, please describe the economic base for your area of Alaska and share any current issues confronting the local residents.

EVALUATE

• Please write a brief paragraph reflecting on the content, style, and usefulness of this first module.
• Take a minute to look your blog over for any problems after you post.

When your blog is complete, professional and posted, please send an email to explorealaskablog@gmail.com, including a link to your blog post.