Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Dr. Patrick Donnay

Abstract

In this thesis I theorize that regulatory capture impacts animal cruelty laws in several different ways. Capture theory is the process by which regulatory agencies eventually come to be dominated by the industries they were charged with regulating. Regulatory capture happens when a regulatory agency, formed to act in the public’s interest, eventually acts in ways that benefit the industry it is supposed to be regulating, rather than the public. Animal cruelty regulations are an important factor in the way that everyday products are produced. Capture theory affecting animal cruelty is an important look at the growing concern with animal rights. In analyzing the 50 American states for their strength in regulations having to do with animal rights and animal cruelty, many factors have been produced that may influence them. These factors include the size of various industries, political parties, contributions, etc. I anticipate finding that where agricultural products industries are strong; the regulation of animal cruelty will be weak.

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