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Social Sciences
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Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution
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Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760). This special issue belongs to the section "Contemporary Politics and Society".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 6615

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Christopher K. Chase-Dunn

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Research on World-Systems, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
Interests: disasters; hazards; preparedness; mitigation; collapses; selection; sociocultural evolution; social movements; collective behavior; world-systems; policy responses; state formation; global governance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Large natural and anthropogenic hazards and disasters have operated as selection sweeps in the evolution of within-polity and interpolity sociocultural systems by destroying lives and the human-built environment and by provoking social movements and policy responses that were intended to identify causes and protect against future disasters.  Individuals, households, communities, settlements, polities and interpolity systems that are the most prepared and resilient to these selection mechanisms survive and prevail. Disasters spur social movements and collective behavior and policy responses from polities that identify causes, motivate rebuilding, and seek to defend against hazards and mitigate the negative consequences of future disasters. These social movements and policy responses have been, and are now, important drivers of complexity and hierarchy. Contemporary global climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of disasters and is spurring social movements and policy initiatives in response. Social scientists have long studied the causes and consequences of single and compound disasters at different levels of analysis. This Special Issue will contain studies of past and recent single disasters and comparative studies that employ global disaster data to examine causes, consequences and the social movements and policy responses that have been and are being spurred by disasters.

Prof. Dr. Christopher K. Chase-Dunn
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 2473 KiB  
Article
#Polarized: Gauging Potential Policy Bargaining Ranges Between Opposing Social Movements of Black Lives Matter and Police Lives Matter
by Jessi Hanson-DeFusco, Natalia Lamberova, Blair Mickles, Tanisha Long, Eliana Beligel, Quinten Boose, Paul Smith, Alexis McMaster and Dragana Djukic-Min
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(11), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13110604 - 5 Nov 2024
Viewed by 654
Abstract
(1) Background: Since the death of George Floyd, the social movement Black Lives Matter continues to dominate the American political psyche, not only advancing a public dialogue but also escalating the polarization of supported solutions for policing and systemic discrimination. (2) Methods: Using [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Since the death of George Floyd, the social movement Black Lives Matter continues to dominate the American political psyche, not only advancing a public dialogue but also escalating the polarization of supported solutions for policing and systemic discrimination. (2) Methods: Using a qualitative context analysis approach, we assessed over 350 sources related to social justice literature and policy-relevant documents to identify key policy solutions supported by the American Black Lives Matter movement compared to the Blue Lives Matter movement. We applied Fearon’s bargaining range of war model to analyze the extent to which the policy recommendations of these two opposing movements may overlap. The purpose was to identify and categorize agreement alternatives across various sectors. This research presents top policy solutions, assessing their bargaining ranges. (3) Results: 32 of the 36 top policy reform alternatives at the national level have sufficient bargaining ranges. This analysis indicates the importance of supporting various sectors like mental health/psychosocial policies and programs, which can (1) serve as a focal point of agreement between contending movements, and (2) decrease racial injustice through strategic bargaining. (4) Conclusions: In a divisively political landscape, it is crucial to identify starting points for negotiation among contending actors. Identifying bargaining opportunities can help seed a dialogue that may benefit all parties involved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution)
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12 pages, 286 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of Policy Frameworks on Business Formulization and Disaster Management to Mitigate Flood Loss and Damage Among Informal Businesses in Sri Lanka
by Vindya Hewawasam and Kenichi Matsui
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(11), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13110573 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 835
Abstract
The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt made a historical decision on disaster loss and damage for vulnerable countries. Even though parties agreed to salvage vulnerable nations with generous support, a fundamental question [...] Read more.
The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt made a historical decision on disaster loss and damage for vulnerable countries. Even though parties agreed to salvage vulnerable nations with generous support, a fundamental question remains as to the extent to which these vulnerable countries can accurately identify the most vulnerable communities/areas. In Sri Lanka, informal businesses are particularly vulnerable to floods, but their informal status has limited the extent to which they could receive flood protection, including disaster-resilient infrastructure developments. The main objective of this paper, therefore, is to identify challenges that informal businesses have experienced in dealing with flood disaster risks. In doing so, we analyzed government policies and laws that are related to business formalization and disaster management. We also conducted interviews with key informants to verify our data. Our analysis found that the Sri Lankan government requires informal business owners to follow complicated rules to register their businesses. For these owners, who are not highly educated, these processes and fear of high tax rates discouraged registering their businesses. The central government tends to prioritize flood mitigation actions for formalized business areas. Informal businesses are not usually covered by flood insurance and compensation. In conclusion, we emphasize the need to establish widely available legal and administrative support for informal businesses to register. Adopting business continuity plans (BCPs) and keeping standardized business records also help businesses minimize flood loss and damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution)
16 pages, 298 KiB  
Article
Climate in 14th-Century England: Catastrophic Change, Social Strategies and the Origins of Capitalism
by Daniel Ribera Vainfas
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090477 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 950
Abstract
This work aims to explore climate change as a decisive element for the transition from feudalism toward capitalism and considers the Marxist transition debate as a framework. In order to avoid the deterministic trap, climate must be considered as a condition framing the [...] Read more.
This work aims to explore climate change as a decisive element for the transition from feudalism toward capitalism and considers the Marxist transition debate as a framework. In order to avoid the deterministic trap, climate must be considered as a condition framing the historical possibilities in a dialectical relationship with human historical agents. Thus, this paper explores the interactions between medieval English society, focusing on land use and class relation, and the conditions imposed by nature, particularly the change in rainfall and the transformation of ecological conditions around the North Sea Basin, especially on England’s east coast. Through the course of this research, we found out that the climate change that happened in the 14th century is one important condition for the rise of capitalism, as it creates certain pressures on both peasant and manorial economies that exacerbate their contradictions and sets a course for profound societal change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution)

Review

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17 pages, 281 KiB  
Review
Navigating Energy and Climate Transitions: Striking a Delicate Balance
by David John LePoire
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090449 - 28 Aug 2024
Viewed by 940
Abstract
The transitions in energy and the environment are driving large-scale social and technological challenges and responses. These challenges include aspects of changing demographics, development, and consideration of the future (e.g., intergenerational issues). Among the approaches to address these challenges is improving energy transition [...] Read more.
The transitions in energy and the environment are driving large-scale social and technological challenges and responses. These challenges include aspects of changing demographics, development, and consideration of the future (e.g., intergenerational issues). Among the approaches to address these challenges is improving energy transition technologies. These concerns have been incorporated into various models, which cover a wide variety of scenarios. Furthermore, options analysis can be used to follow the development of technologies with international implications. Among the topics discussed in this paper are the emerging representations, energy technologies, and socio-technological modeling, which should be addressed in an integrated, balanced way to mitigate the potential for disruptions and/or systems collapses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution)

Other

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19 pages, 1139 KiB  
Case Report
Chilean Disaster Response and Alternative Measures for Improvement
by Luciana das Dores de Jesus Da Silva, Susanne Kubisch, Mauricio Aguayo, Francisco Castro, Octavio Rojas, Octavio Lagos and Ricardo Figueroa
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(2), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13020088 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2347
Abstract
Effective DRM aims to identify and minimize both hazards and vulnerabilities of a territory. This case study carried out in Chile analyzes national programs and disaster risk management structures at different administrative levels (national, regional, and municipal) and identifies gaps that contribute to [...] Read more.
Effective DRM aims to identify and minimize both hazards and vulnerabilities of a territory. This case study carried out in Chile analyzes national programs and disaster risk management structures at different administrative levels (national, regional, and municipal) and identifies gaps that contribute to the vulnerability of the current system. The proposed measures and options for improvement presented in this study are based on a literature review of scientific discussions about international governance, disaster risk management, and case studies conducted in Chile. The results indicate that the national disaster risk management plan has been adjusted in recent years, especially after the 2010 Chilean earthquake. The national administration, which is primarily responsible for managing potential risks, as well as the regional and local governments, has been replaced by the National Disaster Prevention and Response System (SINAPRED) in 2021, according to the 21364 law. This law was created to make cities more resilient, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This change is intended to decentralize disaster risk management, considering local conditions and preventing oversight of disaster risk management, which is not mandatory at the local level. It has also noted some gaps, such as the lack of standardization of emergency and early warning systems and funding at local levels. It is hoped that the system will move forward in this transition period and that the gaps will not affect effective risk management, as they have caused loss of life in past disasters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution)
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