Critical Disaster Studies

This insightful book presents critical disaster studies, which redefines how we perceive disasters as social constructs rather than mere events.

This book introduces the innovative interdisciplinary field of critical disaster studies, which challenges conventional understandings of disasters. Unlike traditional approaches that treat disasters as objective events, Critical Disaster Studies posits that disasters are interpretive fictions shaped by social constructs. This perspective allows for a deeper examination of how the definitions of vulnerability, resilience, and risk are influenced by power dynamics. By questioning the very concept of disaster, this field reveals the implications of labeling people or places in specific ways, ultimately highlighting the subjective nature of disaster management and response.

The contributors to Critical Disaster Studies come from diverse academic backgrounds, representing scholars from five continents and seven disciplines. This collaborative effort emphasizes that disasters are not merely isolated occurrences but are embedded in broader societal contexts. The book argues that the common perception of disasters as sudden, unexpected events obscures the underlying structural conditions that contribute to vulnerability. By reframing disasters within their historical and social contexts, the authors aim to dismantle the notion that these events are purely acute emergencies.

Throughout the volume, the authors explore how disasters are conceptualized and utilized as tools of governance and politics. They analyze the ways in which claims of technocratic expertise can perpetuate power imbalances. Critical Disaster Studies is a vital resource for scholars and educators in disaster studies, offering fresh insights into how we understand and respond to disasters in our world today.