Crisis Management and Contemporary Security Flashcards
Cuban Crisis
- Perception of threat (Russian, Cuban, American, German, Vatican and global perspectives)
- Crisis management actors
- Intensive crisis management process
- Dynamics within the USA and USSR
- Dynamics between USA and USSR
- Measures
- Communications between adversaries
- Media relations
- Solution of crisis
- O. Holsti: JFK-good crisis management - adequate decision-making atmosphere, broad discussion on political choices, empathy towards opponent, enough time for opponent to make decisions, strict control of military resources; R. Mc Namara: huge differences in opinions, strong emotions, the problem of quality and comprehensiveness of analysis, luck!
Improvisation in response to crises
Improvisation is a transformation of some original model, i.e. it takes place in real time and tries to follow the original model as much as possible but also expands on it. Plan: summary of the institutional knowledge and experiences, possible scenarios, development of networks and coordination. Improvisation: events that were not predicted by the plan require timely actions also based on knowledge and experience.
Emergent improvisation: zero-order responders, self-organising group of volunteers, rescue, transportation, delivering equipment, food, water.
Military Engagement in Disaster Response
What can military offer: specific skills (decontamination), organised forces (search and resque), communication (communication chanels), transportation (air lift), control (air control).
Crisis and crisis management
Crisis means a threat to basic values, norms and structures, limited time for decision-making, uncertainty, stress and often a surprise. Crisis management is a set of measures, procedures and decisions that influence the development of crisis, and involve organization, preparedness, response and recovery of the affected ‘reference point’.
Complexity of contemporary crises
- crisis in one field has security dangers for other dimentions
- crisis crosses national borders (globalisation)
- high expectations of the public vs. limited capabilities of political leaders
- sensibility of people to crisis is increasing: 24/7 news cycle and constant social media updates expose people to a constant stream of information about crises around the world.
- latened effects of crisis
Challenges of improvisation
Challenges: large number of obstacles at crisis site, coordination, cooperation, lack of skills, legal accountability. Organisational imrovisation: adaptive, creative, reproductive. Emergent improvisation, combined improvisation.
Factors that influence the decision on military help in disasters
Characteristics of disaster, legal and doctrinal basis, capacities of civilian disaster responce structures, preparedness of the military, political and public expectations, readiness to ask.
Contradictions in use of the military
Contradictions: fear of military presence, while requiring military assistance; legal duty vs. operational preparedness; image and legitimacy improvement vs. destraction from other duties; cooperation vs. lack of common training, planning, standartising equipment.
Crises to come
- “quantum jump” – the number of crises will increase (increasing complexity of our societies, the growing interconnectedness of the world).
- endemic crises: (complex systems which for technological, financial or political reasons, cannot keep up with safety and security requirements)
- combinations of crises; crises will be marked with heterogeneity and complexity (crisis within a crisis). Crises will be self-perpetuating (vicious circle fed by uncertainty about causes).
- transnational crises
- politicization and media
- technology
- population growth, aging societies, and migration patterns
World at risk: The new task of critical theory
Risk society is signified by manufactured uncertainties: environmental problems as a consequence of scientific and technological development, genetics, terrorism (in relation to WMD), financial and economic crises.
The above mentioned global risks have three common features:
* delocalization (spatial, temporal, social),
* un-calculability (consequences are unknown), and
* non-compensatability (the logic of compensation is breaking down).
Eight theses on the Critical Theory of World Risk Society
- The Inequality of Global Risk:
* Decision Makers vs. Sufferers
* Wealthy nations or groups vs. poorer regions
* Poverty and social vulnerability often lead to more risks and dangers - The Power of Risk Definition: who defines what is hazardous, compensation, norms
- Risk and Culture
- Politics of World Risk Society:
* Shared Threats
* Inclusive Politics: cosmopolitan “realpolitik”
* National societies and states need the power - Revolutionary Subject for Climate Politics:
* Anticipation of Catastrophe: mobilize people and political forces.
* Marginal Forces Gaining Importance - Global Risks Empower States and Civil Movements:
* States and civil movements find new sources of legitimacy
* Collaboration between civil society and states could lead to a cosmopolitan form of governance.
* Unequal Costs and Benefits within and between nations. - Divergent Logic of Global Risks: economic risks (Economic Security Council), environmental risks, terrorist risks.
Common Features: All these risks demand proactive policies and blur the lines between national and international concerns. - Case Study of SARS:
Authoritarian regimes might gain power through controlling information and limiting civil rights during health crises. Addressing SARS required cross-border efforts, showing the necessity of global collaboration in tackling such risks.
Cosmopolitanism is the new political realism.
Environmental crisis
Situation:
Demographic trends
Pollution
Climate change
Ozone depletion
Acid rain
Extinction
Exhaustion in natural resourses
Consequences:
Natural disasters
Conflicts
Environmental refugees
Environmental terrorism
Environmnetal crime
Civil riots
Environmental security (Brown) - it is connected with such field like energy, biological systems, climate change, nutrition dangers and economic threats.
Ecological footprints of countries vary -> responsibility to act should vary
Less developed countries are more vulnerable
Impact of globalisation process
Paradoxes in crises
Paradox of Covid-19 response globally:
Globalization vs. Re-nationalization Paradox (Patriotism Paradox) - while the world in interconnected, relies on external relation and trade, Response to Covid-19 pandemic required cooperative action between countries. However, in the years leading up to the pandemic some states started to show nationalistic tendencies (America first, BrexIt). This shift weakened global control and cooperation.
Border Paradox - borders as a necessary measure to beetle the disease got closed which disrupted trade chains, tourism, etc. however, at the same time the disease spread globally anyway because of the late reaction and not sufficient border control measures.
Inequality Paradox (gender, class, family) - while the disease was a common enemy for all, and was supposed to bring everyone together, it revealed more inequalities (rich/poor, women/men, continents)
Social Distancing and Public Perception - harsh and difficult measures to keep were introduced. After their results and cases of the disease decreasing, people started questioning if such strict measures were even needed. After letting the restriction a bit, the people saw a new wave of cases.
Crisis Management and Learning - effective crisis management can paradoxically result in less learning.
Chinese Control Measures - west heavily critised chinese mesures, and then implemented them.
Migrant/refugee crisis
Migration is a part of a globalisation process
Migrations can be encouraged by environmnetal chages and the development of the ICT
International:
Transit countries and host nations view migration as a threat to their security, economy, well-being, religious and political values
Controversies between countries which shake regional and international stability
Refugees can experience violations of their dignity and rights
National:
State sovereignty (control over borders, identity, national objectives)
Balance of power among states
The nature of violent conflicts (terrorism, organised crime, racism)
Civil protection in the EU
The political basis of Union Civil Protection Mechanism development
Solidarity
European identity
“Europe of nations”
“Europe without borders”
“Safe Community”
Objectives:
Strengthening of cooperation of European countries in the field of civil protection
Help the affected countries inside or outside ot the EU
Provision of safety of people, property, environment, cultural heritage during the acts of terrorism, natural or man-made disasters, techonogical, radiological or environmnetal accidents, marine pollutions
Coordinating the help
Improvement of prevention, preparedness and responce to disasters
