THE GOD PROTOCOL: IN SEARCH OF A COMMON ETHICAL APPROACH TO DISASTER RESPONSE
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Authors
Soucie, Eric D.
Subjects
ethics
disaster response
logistics
emergency management
allocation
social contract
economics
philosophy
earthquake
natural disaster
catastrophe
disaster response
logistics
emergency management
allocation
social contract
economics
philosophy
earthquake
natural disaster
catastrophe
Advisors
Young, Thomas D.
Strindberg, Anders
Date of Issue
2018-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The evolution of domestic disaster response within the United States has created a dissonance between the capabilities of response resources and public expectations. Resource shortages in a catastrophe will compel decision-makers in disaster response organizations at all levels of government to make difficult choices. Given America’s social contract, the ethical foundation for these choices should be common and consistent between the various actors. This research provides a primer on the abstracta (philosophical) and concreta (practical) issues impacting ethical choices about the allocation and distribution of food and water in response to a catastrophe. A single case study reviewing the Cascadia Subduction Zone provides a focused, threaded scenario to illustrate the interplay of the philosophical and practical issues. The research and application within the case study found that while the social contract creates both rights and expectations, government response cannot be assessed solely on the basis of quantifiable outcomes. The measure of effectiveness for response remains largely socially constructed due to the discursive framing by the various actors involved in disaster response. While a common ethical approach may be overly ambitious, this thesis recommends various procedural remedies to achieve greater consonance in ethical approaches.
Type
Thesis
Description
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Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
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NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.