When Disasters Come Home: Making and Manipulating Emergencies In The West

The West is facing multiple, overlapping crises, such as global warming, migration, assaults on democracy, Covid-19, and the fall-out of war in Ukraine, which are being exploited for political and economic gain. These crises are reinforcing each other and bolstering the toxic politics that helped to generate them, leading to a system of emergency politics that is self-reinforcing and manufactures its own legitimacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

In the late 20th century, disasters seemed like distant events in far-off countries, far removed from the prosperous West. However, today, these disasters are making a powerful comeback, hitting the West with a vengeance. From global warming to migration crises, from assaults on democracy to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the West is grappling with a multitude of overlapping crises that keep its populations in a constant state of fear and distraction.

These disasters should be serving as a wake-up call to reform our disaster-producing system. Instead, as David Keen reveals in this thought-provoking and original book, disasters are often being exploited for political and economic gain. A number of crises, whether slow-burning or sudden, are not only reinforcing each other but also bolstering the toxic politics that contributed to their emergence.

One critical issue at hand is the misuse of emergencies to vilify those who are working to alleviate them or to bring attention to their root causes. Unless these voices and alternative perspectives find a way to break through, we risk entrenching ourselves in a system of emergency politics that is self-reinforcing rather than self-correcting. This system routinely manufactures its own legitimacy, further perpetuating the cycle of crises.

To address these challenges, it is essential to promote a more inclusive and diverse approach to disaster management. This includes engaging with communities affected by disasters, listening to their perspectives, and incorporating their knowledge and expertise into decision-making processes. It also means challenging the dominant narratives and power structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice.

Furthermore, we need to invest in resilient infrastructure and systems that can better withstand the impacts of disasters. This includes improving early warning systems, building stronger buildings and communities, and developing sustainable land use practices. It also means promoting international cooperation and collaboration to address global challenges such as climate change and migration.

In conclusion, the West is facing a series of overlapping crises that pose significant threats to its stability and well-being. Disasters should be a catalyst for change, urging us to reform our disaster-producing system and promote a more inclusive and resilient approach to disaster management. However, as the book highlights, disasters are often being exploited for political and economic gain, perpetuating the cycle of crises. It is up to us to break through these barriers and work towards a safer and more sustainable future for all.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 231 x 160 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509550623