Aligning executive action in times of adversity: The politics of crisis co-ordination

R.A. Boin, P. t Hart

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We speak of a crisis when a threat is perceived against the core values or life-sustaining functions of a social system, which requires urgent remedial action under conditions of deep uncertainty (Rosenthal et al. 1989). Crises and disasters are ‘inconceivable threats come true’ — they tax our imagination and outstrip available resources. They differ in scale, scope or complexity from the standard contingencies that have occurred in the past and for which political executives may have prepared. They defy conventional administrative or policy responses and cause collective stress (Barton 1970). Political executives typically experience crises as ‘rude surprises’ (La Porte 2007).
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Title of host publicationExecutive Politics in Times of Crisis
EditorsM. Lodge, K. Wegrich
Place of PublicationHoundmills
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Pages179-196
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)978 0 230 30486 4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Publication series

NameThe Executive Politics and Governance series
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan

Keywords

  • Fault Line
  • Crisis Management
  • Homeland Security
  • Response Network
  • Medical Emergency Team

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