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The Political Economy of ``Natural'' Disasters

Author

Listed:
  • Charles Cohen

    (Vice President Sankaty Advisors)

  • Eric D. Werker

    (Harvard Business School Harvard University)

Abstract

Natural disasters occur in a political space. Although events beyond our control may trigger a disaster, the level of government preparedness and response greatly determines the extent of suffering incurred by the affected population. The authors use a political-economy model of disaster prevention, supported by case studies and preliminary empirics, to explain why some governments prepare well for disasters and others do not. The authors show how the presence of international aid distorts this choice and increases the chance that governments will underinvest. Policy suggestions that may alleviate this problem are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Cohen & Eric D. Werker, 2008. "The Political Economy of ``Natural'' Disasters," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 52(6), pages 795-819, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:52:y:2008:i:6:p:795-819
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002708322157
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Miller, Sebastián J. & Bastos, Paulo, 2013. "Politics Under the Weather: Droughts, Parties and Electoral Outcomes," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 4663, Inter-American Development Bank.
    3. Timo Goeschl & Shunsuke Managi, 2019. "Public in-Kind Relief and Private Self-Insurance," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 3-21, April.
    4. Wooyeal Paik, 2016. "Domestic politics, regional integration, and human rights: interactions among Myanmar, ASEAN, and EU," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 417-434, December.
    5. Joakim Kreutz, 2012. "From Tremors to Talks: Do Natural Disasters Produce Ripe Moments for Resolving Separatist Conflicts?," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 482-502, September.
    6. Cavalcanti, Francisco, 2018. "Voters sometimes provide the wrong incentives. The lesson of the Brazilian drought industry," MPRA Paper 88317, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Barbieri, Stefano & Edwards, John H.Y., 2017. "Middle-class flight from post-Katrina New Orleans: A theoretical analysis of inequality and schooling," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 12-29.
    8. Paul A. Raschky & Manijeh Schwindt, 2016. "Aid, Catastrophes and the Samaritan's Dilemma," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 83(332), pages 624-645, October.
    9. Chun-Ping Chang & Aziz N. Berdiev, 2015. "Do natural disasters increase the likelihood that a government is replaced?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(17), pages 1788-1808, April.
    10. Claude Berrebi & Jordan Ostwald, 2011. "Earthquakes, hurricanes, and terrorism: do natural disasters incite terror?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 383-403, December.
    11. Motoyama, Takumi, 2017. "Optimal disaster-preventive expenditure in a dynamic and stochastic model," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 28-47.
    12. Hoddinott, John & Margolies, Amy, 2012. "Mapping the Impacts of Food Aid: Current Knowledge and Future Directions," WIDER Working Paper Series 034, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    13. Claude Berrebi & Jordan Ostwald, 2011. "Earthquakes, hurricanes, and terrorism: do natural disasters incite terror?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 383-403, December.
    14. Walker, Stephen P., 2014. "Drought, resettlement and accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 25(7), pages 604-619.

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