State, Society and Natural Disaster: Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma)

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 717-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Seekins
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Human Security ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
State Security ◽  
Negative Factor ◽  
Cyclone Nargis ◽  
And Control

AbstractInternational efforts to provide relief to areas struck by natural disasters, such as tropical cyclones or earthquakes, are usually evaluated in terms of logistical, personnel and technical criteria — how to get needed supplies and services to affected populations quickly and effectively. These criteria are, of course, essential. However, the case of Cyclone Nargis, which struck the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) Delta and other parts of southern Myanmar (Burma) on 2–3 May 2008, shows that the political environment can be a significant negative factor in aid delivery. Fearful of popular unrest and foreign influence, the Myanmar government tried to limit and control the provision of relief to an estimated 2.4 million cyclone survivors. It may be concluded from this experience that governments, such as Myanmar's, with limited popular support and legitimacy are likely to prioritise state security over human security, even in cases of extreme humanitarian need.

The Legal Politics of Jurisdiction: Understanding ASEAN's Role in Myanmar's Disaster, Cyclone Nargis (2008)

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin LOEVY
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Successful Intervention ◽  
Emergency Powers ◽  
Limited Perspective ◽  
Classic Theory ◽  
Cyclone Nargis

This paper exposes the limited perspective that we have over the problem of jurisdiction in emergencies. In the classic theory of emergency powers, sovereign control over borders is assumed, and jurisdictional problems are acknowledged when threats come from outside those borders or when they are handled outside. However, what characterizes many emergencies is not the exercise of sovereign jurisdiction but rather contestations over problems of jurisdiction and competing jurisdictional claims. To illustrate the need for a broader perspective over emergencies’ jurisdictional politics, this paper tells a multilayered story about a successful intervention by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in one of Myanmar's natural disasters (Nargis 2008). ASEAN's role in its Member State's disaster should be understood in view of its unique regional solution to the jurisdictional problem that this disaster raised—the problem of access by foreign aid to a domestic area affected by a natural disaster.

scholarly journals ASYMMETRICAL CONFLICT AND HUMAN SECURITY: REFLECTIONS FROM KENYA

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Awino Okech
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Human Security ◽  
Political Elite ◽  
The Political ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
Security Model ◽  
Security Framework ◽  
State Security ◽  
Extremist Groups

This paper focuses on contemporary challenges to the human security framework through an examination of asymmetrical conflict generated by extremist insurgents, specifically Al Shabaab in Kenya. The political and security dynamics generated by extremist groups often find reinforcement in local contestations over power and territory, resulting in an interaction between local and 'external'. It is the product of these interactions in the form of opportunities, resultant discourses, responses and what they offer to an expansion of normative ideas about human security and conflict that this paper focuses on. Using Kenya as a case study, this paper explores the interface between the growth of Al Shabaab, securitisation of governance and political elite consensus on the policy relationship between human security versus a state security model. This paper pursues the argument that the rise in the intensity and nature of Al Shabaab attacks in Kenya has influenced the interpretation of the country's security  threats and the application of strategies. Rather than aiding the application of human security as central to national security, it has rolled back previous gains.

scholarly journals Is love in the air?

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-92
Author(s):  
Erika Kulcsár ◽  
Brigitta Bogyor ◽  
Maria Denisa Csiki ◽  
Edina Török
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Added Value ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
History Of ◽  
Terrorist Acts

Love and romance have always been very popular in the history of mankind, as a result of which participation in romantic tourism is not new to tourists. The best known types are the wedding and honeymoon tourism. It is also a known fact that changes in the macro environment have a significant impact on tourism. Terrorist acts, particular speeches of a politician, the instability of the political environment, forms of governments can affect the number of tourists visiting a given country. Of course, the natural environment can also significantly influence the entrepreneurial spirit of tourists, not only in a negative but also in a positive way: disaster tourists travel specifically to places where there has already happened or may happen a natural disaster. However, a pandemic is a phenomenon which impact on tourism is a dramatic one. The aim of this paper is to answer the following questions: (1) can the demand for romantic tourism be perceived via advertising campaigns made during the pandemic? Furthermore, (2) what are the criteria of differentiation of the most popular four-star hotels for wedding venues or accommodation compared to their rivals? More specifically, what can create the added value of hotels?

scholarly journals PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON POLITICAL HARMONY, RULE OF LAW AND IMPLICATIONS ON HUMAN SECURITY IN ZIMBABWE

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-737
Author(s):  
John Moyounotsva Marava
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Human Security ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Global Village ◽  
Leadership Challenges ◽  
Global Issue ◽  
Democratic Principles

Human security has recently emerged as a global issue that requires international cooperation. Moreso, the concepts of political harmony and rule of law have also become a common agenda at many international conferences. Human insecurity in Zimbabwe can be dated back to its colonial past. The colonisation of Zimbabwe by Britain was widely viewed as an attempt by colonisers to introduce a type of monocracy. That marked the initial obstruction to human security for the indigenous people and general lack of cohesion amongst social groups. Currently, Zimbabwe is facing socio-economic challenges which are embedded in the political environment linked to its isolation from the international community through imposition of sanctions for top politicians. The overall objective of this research was to assess philosophical perspectives on the current political situation and rule of law in Zimbabwe and their implications on human security. The research sought to identify the political leadership challenges in addressing human security concerns. To achieve these research objectives, an interdisciplinary approach was used. The methodology for this paper was based on hermeneutics and philosophical analytical models. Results have shown that there is generally an unstable political environment marred with inherent tension due to lack of political harmony and selective application of the law. This paper recommends the need for leadership renewal besides the ideological renewal alongside dialogue and national consensus. Furthermore, the adoption of global village concept emphasizing on democratic principles and political integration could be a possible panacea in addressing the current challenges and ensure human security.  

scholarly journals ON ONE APPROACH OF FORECASTING NATURAL DISASTERS WITH THE SYSTEM OF PATTERN RECOGNITION WITH LEARNING

World Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelly Tkemaladze ◽  
Giorgi Mamulashvili
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Initial Data ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Data Bases ◽  
The Third ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Control ◽  
Fixed Region ◽  
The Given

There are a number of recognition problems in different fields that can be solved with the system of pattern recognition with learning – SPRL elaborated by us. The problem of forecasting natural disasters (floods, mudslides) in the given year, the fixed region, and the period belongs to it. To solve it, it is set in the terms of pattern recognition with learning according to which it is necessary to pre-determine the learning descriptions in the same region of the previous years using data of the previous 12 months of the period. From learning descriptions, firstly are separated control descriptions, then the variants of learning and learning recognizable descriptions. Besides, it is necessary to determine descriptions in year, in the same region using data of the same previous period of the (the first model). After transformation and increasing the informativity of the learning descriptions, the knowledge and data bases are determined for learning recognizable and control descriptions in relation to the variants and classes (the second model). Using them, one decision is made on belonging to the respective class for learning recognizable descriptions, but for control descriptions – the primary decisions according to the number of variants, and then on their basis – one decision. Exactly according to the results of the recognition of control descriptions a decision is made on the occurrence (non-occurrence) of a natural disaster in the same region and period (the third model). The article discusses the arguments related to this fact. This model considers the correction of data bases with respect to variants and classes, also, defines the effectiveness of working of the SPRL and its detector of trust. Considering the specifics of forecasting, the initial data of at least 5 years are required to select the best knowledge and data bases with the use of which a disaster should be forecasted.

When Mother Earth Rises Up

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Sacchi ◽  
Paolo Riva ◽  
Marco Brambilla
Keyword(s):  
Free Will ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Disaster Victims ◽  
Willingness To Help ◽  
Mother Earth

Anthropomorphization is the tendency to ascribe humanlike features and mental states, such as free will and consciousness, to nonhuman beings or inanimate agents. Two studies investigated the consequences of the anthropomorphization of nature on people’s willingness to help victims of natural disasters. Study 1 (N = 96) showed that the humanization of nature correlated negatively with willingness to help natural disaster victims. Study 2 (N = 52) tested for causality, showing that the anthropomorphization of nature reduced participants’ intentions to help the victims. Overall, our findings suggest that humanizing nature undermines the tendency to support victims of natural disasters.

Reconsideration of the Research Trajectory on the Carceral State

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-207
Author(s):  
Juliette Barbera
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Political Development ◽  
American Political Development ◽  
The Political ◽  
Carceral State ◽  
Research Framework ◽  
Research Production ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
And Control

For decades, both incarceration and research on the topic have proliferated. Disciplines within the Western sciences have studied the topic of incarceration through their respective lenses. Decades of data reflect trends and consequences of the carceral state, and based on that data the various disciplines have put forth arguments as to how the trends and consequences are of relevance to their respective fields of study. The research trajectory of incarceration research, however, overlooks the assumptions behind punishment and control and their institutionalization that produce and maintain the carceral state and its study. This omission of assumptions facilitates a focus on outcomes that serve to reinforce Western perspectives, and it contributes to the overall stagnation in the incarceration research produced in Western disciplines. An assessment of the study of the carceral state within the mainstream of American Political Development in the political science discipline provides an example of how the research framework contributes to the overall stagnation, even though the framework of the subfield allows for an historical institutionalization perspective. The theoretical perspectives of Cedric J. Robinson reveal the limits of Western lenses to critically assess the state. The alternative framework he provides to challenge the limits imposed on research production by Western perspectives applies to the argument presented here concerning the limitations that hamper the study of the carceral state.

Communication

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian D. Liddy
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Political Power ◽  
Political Process ◽  
The Political ◽  
Late Medieval ◽  
And Control ◽  
Ordinary Citizens

The exercise of political power in late medieval English towns was predicated upon the representation, management, and control of public opinion. This chapter explains why public opinion mattered so much to town rulers; how they worked to shape opinion through communication; and the results. Official communication was instrumental in the politicization of urban citizens. The practices of official secrecy and public proclamation were not inherently contradictory, but conflict flowed from the political process. The secrecy surrounding the practices of civic government provoked ordinary citizens to demand more accountability from town rulers, while citizens, who were accustomed to hear news and information circulated by civic magistrates, were able to use what they knew to challenge authority.

East Germany

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Detlef Pollack ◽  
Gergely Rosta
Keyword(s):  
Structural Transformation ◽  
East Germany ◽  
External Factors ◽  
The Political ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
State Security ◽  
Security Service ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Church

The case of East Germany raises the question of why religion and church, which had fallen to an unprecedentedly low level after four decades of suppression, have not recovered since 1989. The repressive church politics of the SED were undoubtedly the decisive factor in the unique process of minoritizing churches in the GDR. However, other external factors such as increasing prosperity, socio-structural transformation, and the expansion of the leisure and entertainment sector played an important role, too. In addition, church activity itself probably also helped to weaken the social position of churches. The absence of a church renaissance after 1990 can be explained by several factors, such as the long-term effects of the break with tradition caused by the GDR system, the political and moral discrediting of the church by the state security service, and people’s dwindling confidence in the church, which was suddenly seen as a non-representative Western institution.

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