ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that a framework for analyzing zoos and museums as subsets of a larger group of public activities whose political place and character tend to be neglected. These are public activities that provide facilities intended to be used by masses of people on a voluntary basis. The chapter explores the unexamined political roles of two of the institutions—zoos and museums of natural history. It addresses aspects of zoos and museums that are unique to these institutions, and examines their implicit communications about the relationship of humans and nature. The governance of museums and zoos can take several forms: they can be direct activities of government, activities of government corporations or authorities established for special purposes, or activities of non-profit corporations established privately or under the aegis of public authorities. With respect to their effects on individuals, public institutions may be analyzed on three dimensions. There are: accessibility of the institution, material impact of the institution and symbolic impact.
