Sociology Of Disasters Research Articles

Some Contributions German Katastrophen-Soziologie Can Make to the Sociology of Disaster

The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the contributions the new and relatively undeveloped Katastrophensoziologie has been able to make to the sociology of disaster. The paper begins by reviewing the German criticism of some of the major figures in the sociology of disaster. The second section of the paper presents some of the possible contributions to be found in recent work within Katastrophensoziologie. Finally, the conclusion of the paper points to the scientific value of an international dialogue between scholars with different perspectives on the problem of disaster in societies.

Angst and the Masses: Collective Behavior Research in Germany

This article reviews the study of mass behavior (known as collective behavior in America) in Germany. The historical scope of this review is approximately one hundred years beginning with a discussion of the works of Marx, Weber, Tönnies and Simmel. This discussion is followed by an analysis of how the study of mass behavior dealt with the rise and aftermatch of National Socialism. Finally the collective behavior research which has been done in the post war period is reviewed ending with a brief description of the work being done in the subspeciality of the Sociology of Disasters.

Emergencies and Rationality the Case of Three Mile Island

The accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is analyzed from the perspective of rationality theory. Contrary to the popular view that operator errors are inexplicable, the concept of practical rationality reveals the subjective meaning of the operators’ actions. It is argued that rat-tonality is a valuable notion for the practical management of emergencies and man-made disasters, and that rationality is an essential element in the development of a sociology of disasters.

Notes: Situation Report, Disaster Research in the U.K. –Delivered to Session on the Sociology of Disaster, Ninth World Congress of Sociology, Uppsala, Sweden, 13–19 August 1978

DisastersVolume 2, Issue 4 p. 197-198 Notes: Situation Report, Disaster Research in the U.K. –Delivered to Session on the Sociology of Disaster, Ninth World Congress of Sociology, Uppsala, Sweden, 13–19 August 1978 Ken Westgate, Ken Westgate International Disaster Institute 85, Marylebone High Street London, W.1. U.K.Search for more papers by this author Ken Westgate, Ken Westgate International Disaster Institute 85, Marylebone High Street London, W.1. U.K.Search for more papers by this author First published: December 1978 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.1978.tb00096.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume2, Issue4December 1978Pages 197-198 RelatedInformation