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Addressing public risks: Federal earthquake policy design

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  • Peter J. May

    (Associate Professor of Political Science at The University of Washington, Seattle)

Abstract

This article considers the design of federal earthquake policy as an illustration of the difficulties of addressing “public risks” when public indifference, despite general awareness of the risks, is the norm. The present federal earthquake policy attempts to overcome this indifference through strategies aimed at building local governmental commitment to risk reduction and improving nonfederal capacity to implement risk reduction programs. Because of the fundamental difficulties in influencing actions among less capable and willing jurisdictions, federal efforts have resulted in disjunctive impacts among seismic prone regions. Some “leading” communities have become more prepared, while other “lagging” communities in the same region fall further behind. The preferred approach for overcoming these gaps entails a mix of federally backed earthquake insurance coupled with development of local regulatory standards. More generally, strategies for addressing public risks entail modification of the policy tools for addressing such “private risks” as crime and job-related accidents. The changes involve mechanisms that shift from individual responsibility to shared responsibility for addressing the risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter J. May, 1991. "Addressing public risks: Federal earthquake policy design," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 10(2), pages 263-285.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:10:y:1991:i:2:p:263-285
    DOI: 10.2307/3325175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. V. Kerry Smith & William H. Desvousges & F. Reed Johnson & Ann Fisher, 1990. "Can public information programs affect risk perceptions?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 9(1), pages 41-59.
    2. Colin F. Camerer & Howard Kunreuther, 1989. "Decision processes for low probability events: Policy implications," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 8(4), pages 565-592.
    3. Alvin H. Mushkatel & Joanne M. Nigg, 1987. "Opinion Congruence And The Formulation Of Seismic Safety Policies," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 6(4), pages 645-656, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. A Asgary & K G Willis, 1997. "Estimating the Benefits of Construction Measures to Mitigate Earthquake Risks in Iran," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 24(4), pages 613-624, August.
    2. Raymond J. Burby, 2006. "Hurricane Katrina and the Paradoxes of Government Disaster Policy: Bringing About Wise Governmental Decisions for Hazardous Areas," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 604(1), pages 171-191, March.

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