Bottom-up Responses to Crisis

More about the book

Crises, whether natural (hurricanes, earthquakes) or man-made (wars, economic downturns), impact societies worldwide, often leading to fatalities, injuries, and property damage, along with uncertainty and challenges. Despite these adversities, communities frequently demonstrate resilience and the ability to rebound. This edited volume explores bottom-up responses to crises, emphasizing the ingenuity and persistence of individuals and organizations. It examines how local leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members contribute to recovery by analyzing decentralized crisis response capabilities, feedback mechanisms, and network effects. The chapters highlight the critical role of local emergency managers in disaster management and propose reforms, while also addressing the involvement of businesses, citizens, and children in crisis response. Additionally, the book considers theories of self-governance and nonviolent action as vital components in fostering and sustaining bottom-up recovery efforts. Through these discussions, the volume illustrates the diverse strategies communities employ to return to normalcy and resume everyday life after a crisis.