Nature holds a significant role as both a provider and a barrier. The idea of the "politics of nature" emerges from this balance, where the interactions between governments, businesses, and societal beliefs influence environmental decisions. But often, economic interests clash with the need for environmental preservation, prioritizing profit over sustainability. The theory of the "social construction of nature" suggests that human perceptions and interactions shape how we view the natural world, challenging the idea of an unbiased nature. This concept informs the politics of nature, illustrating how power, interests, and values influence decisions regarding resource management and conservation. As a result, environmental issues are not solely…show more content… Manifest Destiny, the belief in America's inevitable expansion westward, drove explorers and settlers into the wilderness in pursuit of land, resources, and opportunities. He explains how this expansionism led to conflicts with indigenous peoples, resulting in displacement, violence, and cultural disruption. Spence details how Captain Moses A. Harris, within days of his arrival at Yellowstone’s park headquarters, complained and reported about the Indians living in the area as a constant annoyance due to the lighting of purposeful fires and hunting violating what he perceived as permittable. Rather than proceeding with compromising with the local Indians themselves, he only started a controversy with government officials, which eventually led to him taking action himself to forcefully prevent Indians from entering areas of the park that he patrolled. This example highlights how the politics of nature intertwine with settler colonial agendas to marginalize and control indigenous communities and their traditional
