The Institutionalisation of Disaster Risk Reduction: South Africa and Neoliberal Governmentality (Routledge Studies in Hazards, Disaster Risk and Climate Change)

Van Riet, Gideon

ISBN 10: 0367670518 / ISBN 13: 9780367670511

Published by Routledge, 2020

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 391673019

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Institutionalisation of Disaster Risk Reduction: South Africa and Neoliberal Governmentality (Routledge Studies in Hazards, Disaster Risk and Climate Change)
• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0367670518
• ISBN 13: 9780367670511
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The past three decades have seen a global shift in disaster management from an event driven response to a ‘could-be’ risk management approach. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has become entrenched as a dominant paradigm within the field of disaster management.

More than a decade after adopting DRR legislation in South Africa there remains a dearth of evidence that this has translated into substantive action. This book examines the institutionalisation of DRR in South Africa, conceived of as a political economy of knowledge production. Using a critical theory approach, the book does not consider why DRR is failing but instead asks ‘why DRR?’ As such, it explores possibilities beyond DRR’s narrow optic and offers new insights into disaster management through the lens of South Africa.

This is valuable reading for graduate students and academics working in disaster studies, geography, public policy and development/post-development studies, as well as policy makers.

About the Author

Gideon van Riet is Senior Lecturer in Political Studies at North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus in South Africa.