The Metropolitan Center October 6, 2005

1
The Metropolitan Center October 6, 2005

• Richard S. Olson
• Professor Chair
• Department of Political Science
• Florida International University

2
The Fatal Post-Disaster Political Mistake
Underestimating

• Special Time
• Spotlight Microscope

3
Disasters as Publicly Revelatory Events The 5
Cs of any Administration

• 1. Capabilities
• 2. Competence
• 3. Correctness (or Corruptness)
• 4. Compassion
• 5. Credibility
• And Again Spotlight Microscope

4
A Particular Katrina Problem A Blame Progression

• 1. Unforeseeable Event
• 2. Dont Play the Game
• 3. Vertical-Up/Down (Federal-State-Local)
• 4. All of Us (System)
• 5. Onward to Reconstruction
• Result Loss of Credibility/Confidence

5
Rebuilding New Orleans?

• Not Strictly Rational, Why?
• Compensatory Political Necessity for a Perceived
  Federal Failure
• (Whatever Happened to the Gulf Coast?)

6
Thank You!