Max J. Skidmore

Presidents, Pandemics, and Politics

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This book is an examination of the manner in which American presidents respond to pandemics and other public health crises. Skidmore argues that presidential performance in dealing with emergencies and pandemics varies, but those who are informed, focused, and confident that government can work are most likely to be successful. As an example, Gerald Ford's "Swine Flu program" is widely derided as incompetent and politically motivated. Closer examination, however, suggests the contrary, demonstrating the potential of government to act quickly and effectively against public health emergencies, even when facing formidable obstacles. The American government has a mixed record ranging from excellent to unacceptable, even counterproductive, in dealing with emergency threats to life and health. Despite ideological arguments to the contrary, however, governments are important to effective responses, and in the American setting, presidential action is essential.

Produktdetails

• The Evolving American Presidency
• Verlag: Palgrave Macmillan / Palgrave Macmillan US / Springer Palgrave Macmillan
• Artikelnr. des Verlages: 978-1-349-95698-2
• Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016
• Seitenzahl: 97
• Erscheinungstermin: 23. Juni 2018
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 210mm x 148mm x 6mm
• Gewicht: 152g
• ISBN-13: 9781349956982
• ISBN-10: 1349956988
• Artikelnr.: 54385054

Autorenporträt

Max J. Skidmore is Curators¿ Professor of Political Science and Thomas Jefferson Fellow at University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA.

Inhaltsangabe

I IntroductionTwentieth-Century SuccessesA Disturbing DevelopmentThe Importance of National, and Presidential, ActionII Pandemic Influenza
Influenza is not to be Taken Lightly
Influenza at its Most Horrendous-So Far
III Misguided Responses to Public Health EmergenciesThe Tragedies of Kalaupapa and CarvilleThe "Magic of the Marketplace," and Public Health EmergenciesMilitant Passivity from the Left Hand, Authoritarianism from the RightIdeology, Incompetence, but Some Thoughtful PlanningIV Appropriate Responses to Public Health EmergenciesPresidential Action and the San Francisco EarthquakePresidential Action and Hurricane BetsyPresidential Action and the Alaskan EarthquakeV President R. Gerald FordVigorous Action to Defend Against a Threatened PandemicFair Game: The Politics of Piling OnVI President Ford's National Influenza Immunization Program: A Special CaseThe Background: Widespread AgreementThe Launching of Ford's NIIPObstacles EmergeNo Pandemic plus Health Risk Must Mean Fiasco: A Confused DiscourseTurning From Talking Points to Analysis: NIIP as a Learning ExperienceAssessment of the NIIPVII ConclusionsEmergency ManagementLessons to Be LearnedBibliographyIndex