Disasterland

This book analyses the making of the international world of 'natural' disasters by its professionals. Through a long-term ethnographic study of this arena, the author unveils the various elements that are necessary for the construction of an international world: a collective narrative, a shared language, and standardized practices. The book analyses the two main framings that these professionals use to situate themselves with regards to a disaster: preparedness and resilience, arguing that the making of the world of 'natural' disasters reveals how heterogeneous, conflicting, and sometimes competing elements are put together.

Compares the ways in which natural disaster is framed at local and international levels Looks critically at the actors involved in representations of disaster Analyzes the plurality of interpretations and implementations in response to natural disasters

Autorentext
Sandrine Revet is Research Professor at CERI Sciences Po, France.

Klappentext

This book analyses the making of the international world of natural disasters by its professionals. Through a long-term ethnographic study of this arena, the author unveils the various elements that are necessary for the construction of an international world: a collective narrative, a shared language, and standardized practices. The book analyses the two main framings that these professionals use to situate themselves with regards to a disaster: preparedness and resilience, arguing that the making of the world of natural disasters reveals how heterogeneous, conflicting, and sometimes competing elements are put together.

Inhalt

1. Introducing Disasterland.- 2. Stories of a Fragmented World.- 3. Disaster Iconography: Victims, Rescue Workers and Hazards.- 4. Making Disasters International.- 5. Creating Common Ground to "See the Same Disaster".- 6. Preparedness.- 7. Resilience.- 8. Conclusion.