Regarding normative political theories (models) and disaster management, after having read the
text and any additional research you choose, explain the political contributions of Jefferson,
Hamilton, and Jackson. How do these theories apply or relate to disaster management? Which
model do you most support or find applicable/useful regarding disaster management and/or
homeland security and why?
Regarding normative political theories and disaster management, Jackson, Jefferson and
Hamilton made significant political contributions. These normative political theories in relation
to disaster management ensured that the emergency mangers carried out their responsibilities
including: issuing warnings, overseeing evacuations, proper communication with first
responders, and gathering information about damages and the list goes on (Sylves, 2020).
The Jeffersonian Model
The Jefferson model or approach required public mangers to have a certain skill set in
“consultation, negotiation and communication, and deftness in probing for public understanding
and consent” (Sylves, 2008). Jeffersonian public managers use their skill sets in communication
and use corporate towards understanding and knowing the personal relationships between agents
and tasks. Jeffersonian practice their communication and consulting skills by encouraging input
and participation from other agencies, local residents in their jurisdiction and representatives of
stakeholder organizations (Sylves, 2008). They encourage participation amongst all mentioned
previously because it allows addition information and input for when drafting emergency
management plans and proposals. Thus, leading to stronger support when it comes to political
and administrative approval.
The Hamiltonian Model
Moving on to the Hamilton model, public managers expect others to judge them whether
their efforts produced the desired results. These managers are expected to be intellectual and
skillful decision-makers, experts in organization and possess executive skills in developing plans
and caring out the mission. A Hamiltonian public manager is a technocrat who possesses special
knowledge and works under norms of objectivity and political neutrality (Sylves, 2020). In the
readings this week Sylves states that “Hamiltonians have made major contributions through the
work of disasters sociologists, political scientists, economists, social geographers, demographers,
and urban planners” (Sylves, 2008).
The Jacksonian Model
Lastly, the Andrew Jackson’s model’s political contributions are managing the
divergence between state and local governments and responders, who ultimately governs the
Incident Command System. The Jacksonian approach is “highly populist, advocates
decentralization, which grants local governments greater autonomy with direct governance,
concentrates authority in elected executives, minimizes legislative interference in public
management and allows elected executives to appoint their political partisans and allies to many
government jobs” (Sylves, 2008). The Jacksonian emergency mangers are the intermediaries
between the state and local governments and responders, making sure there is no tention between
them. The Jeffersonian model, the Jacksonian model also requires good communication skills in
order to properly communicate and dissolve all friction between the three mentions above. Also,
alike from the Jeffersonian model the Jacksonian model encourages publica participation
(Sylves, 2008).
Best Model
With regards to which model best supports disaster management and homeland security,
the Jeffersonian model demonstrates the most credible means of implementation. I believe that
good communication is detrimental to success. When a disaster happens all agencies and
responders in proper communication to ensure there is no mx up or confusion when it comes to
roles and responsibilities because that could cause for a slower response and recovery which will
negatively impact a community that is suffering. The involvement of different agencies,
organizations and the people within the jurisdiction allows for the emergency mangers to develop
and plan and proposals that will benefit the community and all for phases of emergency
management for when a disaster does happen. I think getting extended information allows for a
broader array of ideas when developing policies and thus making them more effective. In
conclusion all these models are great contributors to disaster management. In each model the
emergency mangers have special skill sets and responsibilities that benefit the four phases in
emergency management and disaster management.
Biblical Perspective
Each of these models can represented by the Bible. Hamiltonians model is based off of
accountability for its managers. The Bible tells us in Luke 17: 3, “Pay attention to yourselves! If
your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” Matthew 18:6, “As leaders, you
are responsible for those you lead. These people are looking to you for guidance, like little
children. We have a responsibility to lead and to lead well.” There are many other examples in
the Bible that talk about the importance of accountability for leaders. For Jeffersons and
Jacksonians model were similar as both models relied on having good communication.
Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with
his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” It is important the emergency mangers are
able to communicate properly and efficiently when it comes to all four phases of emergency
management. Another great Bible verse that supports the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian model is
Proverbs 15:22, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” This
model is big on the inclusion of multiple groups of people when developing plans and policies.
References:
Sylves, Richard. (2008). Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland
Security. Retrieved from https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-
binaries/72267_Sylves_Chapter_2.pdf
Sylves, R. (2020). Disaster policy & politics: Emergency management and homeland security
(3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: CQ Press. ISBN: 978-1506368689
The Holy Bible
Brenda,
Really great job on your post, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on each of the models and their
contributions to emergency management and homeland security. I agree with you that it’s
important that leaders in office possess effective leadership characteristics and strategies. Exodus
18:21 states “But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men
who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”
We can use the Bible to provide guidance on skills and qualities of a leader and apply that to the
models of Jefferson, Hamilton and Jackson. Each one of their models/ contributions requires the
emergency manger to possess certain skills that will fulfil their agenda.
All the models discussed this week would be greatly beneficial to emergency management and
homeland security. I too had selected Jefferson model to be the most useful and applicable to
disaster management and homeland security. As we both mentioned Jefferson, public/emergency
mangers are skillful in communication but the other example of his model that I found to be very
beneficial was the encouragement of inclusion of different organizations and even the people of
the community (Sylves, 2008). This way there is a lot of open communication and information
being shared between the community and organizations offering addition input that can be very
beneficial with planning for a disaster. The Jackson model too is similar to the Jefferson model in
this way to. The Jackson and Jefferson model overlap each other will similarities, focusing on
communication and encouragement of inclusion.
References:
Sylves, Richard. (2008). Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland
Security. Retrieved from https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-
binaries/72267_Sylves_Chapter_2.pdf
The Holy Bible
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