Disasters like earthquakes are known as focusing events--sudden calamities that cause both citizens and policymakers to pay more attention to a public problem and often to press for solutions. This book, the first comprehensive analysis of these dramatic events, explains how and why some public disasters change political agendas and, ultimately, public policies.
Thomas A. Birkland explores important successes and failures in the policy process by analyzing the political outcomes of four types of events: earthquakes, hurricanes, oil spills, and nuclear accidents. Using this empirical...
Disasters like earthquakes are known as focusing events--sudden calamities that cause both citizens and policymakers to pay more attention to a pub...
The Encyclopedia of Media and Politics in America explores the intersection of media and politics, from larger themes such as the role of media in civil, democratic society, to more specific topics such as media ownership and regulation. With articles contributed by scholars and practitioners, the Encyclopedia provides the best single reference work on the history, impact, and roles of the media in politics.
The Encyclopedia of Media and Politics in America explores the intersection of media and politics, from larger themes such as the role of media in civ...
Even before the wreckage of a disaster is cleared, one question is foremost in the minds of the public: "What can be done to prevent this from happening again?" Today, news media and policymakers often invoke the "lessons of September 11" and the "lessons of Hurricane Katrina." Certainly, these unexpected events heightened awareness about problems that might have contributed to or worsened the disasters, particularly about gaps in preparation. Inquiries and investigations are made that claim that "lessons" were "learned" from a disaster, leading us to assume that we will be more ready the...
Even before the wreckage of a disaster is cleared, one question is foremost in the minds of the public: "What can be done to prevent this from happ...