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Who's to blame for all the heartache?

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  • Daniel J. D'Amico

Abstract

Purpose - The wake of a natural disaster is a tumultuous setting. Resources are scarce, actions are quick, and emotions are high. Social commentators have often brought complaints against capitalism for promoting greed and selfishness during and after natural catastrophes. Most recently academics have introduced a unique perspective in addition to the more traditional criticisms. They claim that free‐market advocates have imposed capitalist theories and policies in the wake of crises to the detriment of traditional policies, preferred cultures, and democratically selected institutions. This paper aims to investigate these claims. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is a discursive analysis. Findings - It is argued that the left overlooks the case that capitalism and corporate businesses may be a natural part of local cultures and recovery processes. If such a claim is true, then the normative case against capitalist responses to natural disasters is weaker than has been presented. The two perspectives are speaking past one another. Originality/value - The paper illustrates that claims against capitalism and market processes in the wake of natural disasters can be overstated and that it should be recognised that markets are an integral part of people's cultures and local identities.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel J. D'Amico, 2008. "Who's to blame for all the heartache?," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 35(8), pages 590-602, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijsepp:v:35:y:2008:i:8:p:590-602
    DOI: 10.1108/03068290810889215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Russell Sobel & Peter Leeson, 2006. "Government's response to Hurricane Katrina: A public choice analysis," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 127(1), pages 55-73, April.
    2. Russell S. Sobel & Peter T. Leeson, 2010. "The Use of Knowledge in Natural Disaster Relief Management," Chapters, in: Emily Chamlee-Wright & Virgil Henry Storr (ed.), The Political Economy of Hurricane Katrina and Community Rebound, chapter 3, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. repec:wvu:wpaper:06-07 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Peter Boettke & Emily Chamlee-Wright & Peter Gordon & Sanford Ikeda & Peter T. Leeson & Russell Sobel, 2007. "The Political, Economic, and Social Aspects of Katrina," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 74(2), pages 363-376, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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