Government of Emergency: Vital Systems, Expertise, and the Politics of Security

The Government of Emergency explores how the modern American emergency state came to be,from the Great Depression to the Cold War,by developing a new understanding of the nation as a complex of vulnerable systems and inventing technical and administrative devices to manage them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The origins and evolution of the contemporary American emergency state are a subject of significant interest and concern. From the emergence of pandemic diseases to the catastrophic consequences of global warming, and the ever-present threat of cyberattacks, we are faced with an array of devastating threats that pose a significant challenge to our modern society. Despite the diverse nature of these threats, experts and policymakers alike approach them with a common denominator: they perceive them as future events that have the potential to disrupt the essential and vulnerable systems upon which our modern lives depend.

The Government of Emergency, a compelling book by Stephen Collier and Andrew Lakoff, delves into the historical roots and development of this modern perspective on emergencies. During the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War, a group of experts and officials worked in obscure government offices, seeking to understand the nation as a complex network of vital and vulnerable systems. Recognizing the need to mitigate the nation's vulnerability, they invented technical and administrative devices to enhance preparedness and response capabilities.

Furthermore, they organized a distinctive form of emergency government that aimed to prepare for and manage potentially catastrophic events. This government was characterized by a centralized authority, streamlined decision-making processes, and the establishment of specialized agencies to coordinate response efforts. Through these conceptual and technical inventions, Collier and Lakoff argue that vulnerability was defined as a specific problem, one that continues to shape the approach of experts, officials, and policymakers to future emergencies.

The Government of Emergency offers a valuable insight into the historical and societal factors that have contributed to the emergence of the contemporary American emergency state. It highlights the importance of proactive planning, collaboration, and innovation in addressing these complex challenges. By understanding the origins and evolution of this emergency management framework, we can better equip ourselves to respond to the threats of the future and ensure the well-being and security of our society.

Weight: 762g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691199283