HLSC 510 Discussion 2
Regarding how the normative political theories (models) apply or relate to disaster
management, the schools of thought vary. Jefferson, Hamilton, and Jackson all brought unique
and mostly opposing thought processes to the field of emergency management. While there are
similarities, there are distinct differences that affect how each model applies and their priorities.
The Jeffersonian model came from one of the primary authors of the Declaration of
Independence, Thomas Jefferson. In addition, he made a major political contribution through his
emergency management approach which involved leadership from educated elites. The
Jeffersonian approach is one that relies heavily upon input from the citizens of the affected
community (Sylves, 2019). This “political consultation or public deliberation” was a preemptive
effort to help emergency managers make decisions. By involving the public in a grass roots
manner, it helps improve the palatability and legitimacy of the decisions made (Sylves, 2019).
From a local government perspective, the benefits of this model in emergency management are
tremendous because there is strong community support. The elected overseers also benefit from
this effective emergency management theory since their actions also help them keep their jobs!
Failure can weaken the community’s trust so there is also a high level of accountability.
Considering the Biblical influence that the early founding fathers like Jefferson had, I
suspect the following verse could have been influential: “Where no counsel is, the people fall:
but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Proverbs
11:14). The level of importance on community involvement and consent leads me to believe he
was applying Biblical wisdom in his model. High public accountability is the hallmark of the
Jeffersonian model, and this is a very important political contribution. While the Jeffersonian
approach is best suited for the specific needs of the community, there are some important
elements missing. As Sylves points out in our textbook, “Jeffersonian emergency managers have
little or no role in mitigating disasters or reducing hazard vulnerabilities in any sophisticated
way” (Sylves, 2019, p. 51). Why this is important is because there is more to emergency
management than just dealing with each disaster. There must be a fundamental understanding of
not only what causes disasters, but the measures that could and should be taken to lower the risk
to the community.
The Hamiltonian model in contrast, relies upon technical expertise and after the fact
accountability (Sylves, 2019). This model is administrated by technocrats who are accountable to
the elected officials who hold them accountable ex post facto (Sylves, 2019). Evaluation under
public law and policy are the driving factors involved in the decision makers who follow this
model. These public managers possess the expert knowledge of their organization as well as the
necessary tools to execute their duties effectively. A very important aspect of the Hamiltonian
model is the fact that it operates absent politics. “Emergency managers can be trusted to act
independently and with dispatch” (Sylves, 2019, p. 44). In our modern technological era,
utilization of the latest technology for all aspects of the mission is the hallmark of this model.
This Hamiltonian approach demonstrated its effectiveness as major technological advances used
by FEMA were successfully deployed in the 1990’s (Sylves, 2019). Disasters can be natural or
manmade, but they are also political phenomenon. Emergency managers are tasked with unique
bureaucratic missions and those that follow the Hamiltonian model form policy based on expert
advice (McEntire, 2004). Efficiency is a major part of the model that Hamiltonians use in public
administration. This is a beautiful synergy where state-of-the-art and professional expertise come
together to achieve the mission for the greater benefit of the community.
The Jacksonian Model is the last of the three political theories in the field of emergency
management. Named after President Andrew Jackson, it is a hybrid model that is highly populist
in application. The foundational principle of his model was that the best results came from a
system of direct governance from autonomous local community leadership. (Sylves, 2019).
Despite this model’s overall distrust of Congress and belief that the political system was corrupt,
it too utilizes elements of cronyism by way of rewarding loyalists. This is not to say this
approach isn’t effective, however. Cooperation and trust often come by way of force and their
strong personalities. Government bureaucracy is inefficient and those following the Jacksonian
model use their political skills to overcome federal inaction (Sylves, 2019). This model is
certainly a more abrasive method of achieving results, but charismatic leaders who can perform
under pressure bring value to the proverbial emergency management table.
While there are obvious advantages to each of the three models being discussed, I support
the Hamilton model the most. Utilizing technology for better communication, response, and
mitigation are valuable benefits offered by this model. I do see value in the Jeffersonian model as
well, but also the importance of knowing when it does not apply. Having witnessed some of the
political flaws of the Jacksonian model in recent years makes me less confident in its
effectiveness. When you zoom out a bit and consider both emergency management and
homeland security, there is advantage and overlap in both applications. There is accountability
from this kind of emergency manager, who is expected to possess expertise in their field. There
is a continual effort to learn and improve performance from each disaster, becoming more
effective and efficient.
When we think about emergency management, the crux of the job is to help those in
need. Disasters often impact poor communities the hardest and the job of the emergency manager
is to never lose sight of that mission. The Biblical wisdom is frequent in this regard and an
applicable verse says, “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore, I command thee,
saying, thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy
land” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Deuteronomy 15:11). We are a rich nation with vast
resources that should be used in a way that helps those in their time of need.
References
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769)
McEntire, D. A. (2004). The status of emergency management theory: Issues, barriers, and
recommendations for improved scholarship. University of North Texas.
Department of Public Administration. Emergency Administration and
Planning.
Sylves, R. T. (2019). Disaster Policy and Politics (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
(US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781506368702
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