All Is Well: Catastrophe and the Making of the Normal State

Disasters are exceptional occurrences that destroy human life, property, and resources. Saptarishi Bandopadhyay argues that there is no such thing as a disaster outside of rituals of legal, administrative, and scientific contestation through which such occurrences are morally distinguished from the rhythms of everyday life. He draws on three case studies to show how the underlying beliefs and resulting insights underwrite sophisticated but deeply inequitable present-day norms and practices of global governance. He concludes that climate change, and the national and international authorities designed to fight it, are products of three centuries of disaster management, and civilizational survival depends on reckoning with this past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Disasters are a ubiquitous presence in our lives, often referred to as exceptional events that cause significant loss of human life, property, and resources. Throughout history, people have relied on political authorities to provide protection and relief in the aftermath of disasters. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and a series of devastating storms, floods, and forest fires have highlighted the inadequacy of modern states and intergovernmental institutions in fulfilling this responsibility. Moreover, world leaders persistently disregard evidence of accelerated climate change, which is widely recognized as a planetary catastrophe.

In his book "All Is Well," Saptarishi Bandopadhyay challenges the conventional notion of disasters and argues that they are not inherently extraordinary occurrences. Instead, he suggests that disasters are products of the ordinary processes of legal, administrative, and scientific contestation through which they are morally distinguished from the rhythms of everyday life. Bandopadhyay views disasters as artifacts of normal rule, resulting from the same strategies of knowledge-making and violence employed by authorities, experts, and laypeople to establish and maintain state-like power.

By examining disaster management as a historical process, Bandopadhyay challenges traditional narratives and offers a fresh perspective on the subject. He draws on three case studies: the Marseille plague of 1720, the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, and the Bengal famine of 1770. These events serve as examples of how disasters have been both catalysts for political authority and opportunities for aspiring rulers to assert their state-like ambitions.

During the eighteenth century, aspiring rulers recognized disasters as occasions to test their authority and assert their power over natural forces. They sought to replace divine authority with the supremacy of natural rights, Enlightenment ideals, and the rule of law. The response to these disasters was shaped by these ideological shifts, leading to the development of modern disaster management systems and institutions.

However, Bandopadhyay argues that disaster management is not solely a response to external threats but also a tool for the reproduction of power and authority. He points out that disasters can be used to justify authoritarian measures, suppress dissent, and maintain the status quo. For instance, during the Bengal famine of 1770, the British colonial government used the disaster to justify its oppressive policies and suppress opposition to its rule.

In conclusion, disasters are a persistent feature of our world, and their impact on human lives and societies is profound. Bandopadhyay's book "All Is Well" offers a critical analysis of the concept of disasters and challenges the traditional narratives that surround them. By examining disaster management as a historical process, he reveals how disasters are produced by the ordinary strategies of knowledge-making and violence employed by authorities, experts, and laypeople. Moreover, he highlights the ways in which disasters can be used as tools for the reproduction of power and authority, leading to the perpetuation of social and economic inequalities. As we navigate the challenges posed by climate change and other disasters, it is essential to recognize the role of political authorities and intergovernmental institutions in addressing these issues. However, we must also be aware of the potential for disaster management to be used as a tool for the repression of dissent and the maintenance of the status quo. By challenging these narratives and advocating for a more equitable and sustainable approach to disaster management, we can work towards a world that is more resilient and prepared to face the challenges of the future.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 162 x 243 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197579190