Birkland, Thomas A.

Birkland, Thomas A. Lessons of Disaster: Policy Change after Catastrophic Events. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2003.

This book takes a critical look at the assumption that “lessons” are “learned” after natural or man-made disasters. To determine when and how a catastrophic event serves as a catalyst for true policy change, the author examines four categories of disasters: aviation security, homeland security, earthquakes, and hurricanes. The author explores lessons learned from each, focusing on three types of policy change: change in the larger social construction of the issues surrounding the disaster; instrumental change, in which laws and regulations are made; and political change, in which alliances are created and shifted.


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