A systemist depiction of Canadian disaster risk reduction research and approaches

ABSTRACT

In order to improve visual communication of disaster research, this article provides a systemist visual representation of the cause and effect relationships, trends, and logical impacts of different pieces in the field of Canadian disaster risk reduction and corresponding policy decisions on assistance. Three studies are included. These works focus, in interconnected ways, on resilience, governance, and related factors vis-à-vis Canadian disaster risk reduction. In carrying out this graphic analysis, the article highlights areas of crossover as well as fruitful directions for future learning to further develop and improve the decision-making process and Canada’s efforts to reduce the risks of disasters. Work proceeds in six sections. The first section provides an overview of the project. Sections two through four create systemist visualizations of the respective studies. The fifth section engages in systematic synthesis based on the preceding graphics. Sixth, and finally, conclusions are offered, along with a few ideas about future research.

RÉSUMÉ

Afin d'améliorer la communication visuelle de la recherche sur les catastrophes, cet article offre une représentation visuelle systémiste des relations de cause à effet, des tendances et des impacts logiques de différents éléments dans le domaine de la réduction des risques de catastrophes au Canada et des décisions politiques correspondantes en matière d'assistance. Trois études sont incluses. Ces travaux se concentrent, de manière interconnectée, sur la résilience, la gouvernance et les facteurs connexes en ce qui concerne la réduction des risques de catastrophes au Canada. En procédant à cette analyse graphique, l'article met en évidence les points de recoupement ainsi que les orientations fructueuses pour l'apprentissage futur afin de développer et d'améliorer le processus décisionnel et les efforts du Canada pour réduire les risques de catastrophes. Six sections composent l'article. La première section offre un aperçu du projet. Les sections deux à quatre créent des visualisations systémistes des études respectives. La cinquième section s'engage dans une synthèse systématique basée sur les graphiques précédents. La sixième et dernière section offre des conclusions, ainsi que quelques idées sur les recherches futures.

KEYWORDS:

• Systemism
• Canadian foreign policy
• disaster risk reduction
• disaster risk governance
• international development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 A full background to, and explanation of, the contents of Table 1 appears in the introduction to this special issue by Gansen and James.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rosalind Warner

Dr. Rosalind Warner is Continuing College Professor of Political Science at Okanagan College. Her research interests include Canadian foreign policy, ethics and international relations, global environmental politics, ecological modernization and human security. Publications include: “Governance for Resilience: Canada and Global Disaster Risk Reduction”. Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, 2019, 1-15; “Resilience or Relief: Canada's Response to Global Disasters” Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, 19:2 (2013) 223-235; “Ecological Modernization Theory: Towards a Radical Ecopolitics of Change?” Environmental Politics Journal 19:4 (July 2010) 538-556; Editor, Unsettled Balance: Ethics, Security and Canada's International Relations (UBC Press, 2015); Editor, Ethics and Security in Canadian Foreign Policy (UBC Press, 2001).

Patrick James

Patrick James is the Dana and David Dornsife Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California.

Sarah Gansen

Sarah Gansen is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Southern California and a graduate of USC Gould School of Law.