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Hazards of neoliberalism: delayed electric power restoration after Hurricane Ike 1
Author(s) -
Miller Lee M.,
Antonio Robert J.,
Bonanno Alessandro
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the british journal of sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.826
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1468-4446
pISSN - 0007-1315
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-4446.2011.01376.x
Subject(s) - neoliberalism (international relations) , metropolitan area , public good , upgrade , electric power , political science , power (physics) , business , political economy , economics , geography , archaeology , microeconomics , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , operating system
This case study explores how neoliberal policies shape the impacts of a natural disaster. We investigate the reactions to major damages to the electric power system and the restoration of power in the wake of Hurricane Ike, which devastated the Houston, Texas, metropolitan area in September 2008. We argue that the neoliberal policy agenda insured a minimalist approach to the crisis and generated dissatisfaction among many residents. The short‐term profitability imperative shifted reconstruction costs to consumers, and prevented efforts to upgrade the electric power infrastructure to prepare for future disasters. We illustrate the serious obstacles for disaster mitigation and recovery posed by neoliberal policies that privatize public goods and socialize private costs. Neoliberalism neither addresses the needs of a highly stratified public nor their long‐term interests and safety.