Abstract
This chapter builds upon the information provided in Chap. 4, with a focus on the actual implementation of policies and the resulting impacts of bureaucratic processes. The chapter argues that although the implementation of the current disaster policy and legislation has consistently led to the exacerbation of inequalities and unjust outcomes, there is a great deal that can be improved (or worsened) simply through the interpretation of the rules and regulations and the exercise of bureaucratic discretion—or perpetuation of administrative evil. The chapter describes some of the ways in which implementation practices and challenges lead to disparate outcomes, including the impacts of agency cultures that have become very focused on preventing excessive spending.
An additional implementation challenge stems from the reliance on private sector contractors, along with other partners, often utilizing contracting vehicles and other vehicles that create incentives for a focus on projects and applicants with more readily resolved cases.
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Notes
- 1.
The on-the-ground impacts of policies, and the interactions of individuals with government, stem directly from the decisions made by street-level bureaucrats.
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Jerolleman, A. (2019). Implementation Challenges. In: Disaster Recovery Through the Lens of Justice. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04795-5_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04795-5_5
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