Governing after Crisis: The Politics of Investigation, Accountability and Learning

Arjen Boin · Allan McConnell · Paul 't Hart

Feb 2008 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

The constant threat of crises such as disasters, riots and terrorist attacks poses a frightening challenge to Western societies and governments. While the causes and dynamics of these events have been widely studied, we know little about what happens following their containment and the restoration of stability. This volume explores 'post-crisis politics,' examining how crises give birth to longer term dynamic processes of accountability and learning which are characterised by official investigations, blame games, political manoeuvring, media scrutiny and crisis exploitation. Drawing from a wide range of contemporary crises, including Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, the Madrid train bombings, the Walkerton water contamination, Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia and the Boxing Day Asian tsunami, this is a ground-breaking volume which addresses the longer term impact of crisis-induced politics. Competing pressures for stability and change mean that policies, institutions and leaders may occasionally be uprooted, but often survive largely intact.

About the author

Arjen Boin is an Associate Professor in the Utrecht School of Governance at Utrecht University.

Allan McConnell is Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney.

Paul 't Hart is Professor of Public Administration in the Political Science Programme at the Australian National University and the Utrecht School of Governance at Utrecht University.