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China's earthquake emergency management policies have undergone significant transformation since the mid-20th century, reflecting a progressive development from disaster relief to comprehensive prevention and mitigation strategies. This evolution is deeply rooted within the context of historical institutionalisma theoretical framework that explns how social institutions influence policy outcomes through a process known as path depence DiMaggio Powell, 1983. Drawing upon this perspective, analyze China's seismic management policies through four distinct paradigms and to outline their implications for contemporary governance challenges.
Historical institutionalism underscores the importance of past experiences in shaping current policy decisions. In China's earthquake emergency management context, we utilize this theory to elucidate how previous strategies have influenced subsequent shifts towards more proactive measures agnst seismic risks Barr et al., 2019.
A comprehensive review of literature reveals that Chinese earthquake policies have evolved through four major paradigms: relief-focused management from 1949 to 1966, prevention-centric strategies from 1966 to 1989, mitigation-oriented approaches from 1989 to 2016, and a contemporary integration of disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief strategies since the mid-2010s Barr et al., 2017.
To conduct our analysis effectively, we draw on the tenets of historical institutionalism. This framework posits that policies evolve through a complex interplay between organizational structures, culture, and policy instruments shaped by past experiences.
For our study, we selected relevant documents, including governmental guidelines, legislative acts, reports from disaster response agencies, and scholarly analyses pertinent to each era. Through this systematic approach, we have dissected the development trajectory of Chinese earthquake management policies Wang Zhang, 2018.
The evolution of China's earthquake policy paradigmfrom relief-focused measures to contemporary risk reduction strategiesdemonstrates a clear progression. The foundational relief-oriented approach med at post-disaster recovery was later supplanted by prevention-centric strategies focusing on building codes and seismic design standards Yuan et al., 2019.
The first paradigm prioritized immediate relief efforts in response to earthquakes, emphasizing the reconstruction of damaged areas and support for affected communities.
Transitioning into this period saw a significant shift towards proactive measures med at mitigating future risks through improved building standards and urban planning.
Further advancements in policy focused on combining prevention with mitigation strategies, underscoring the importance of integrating risk assessment into urban development plans to enhance disaster resilience.
The contemporary approach consolidates earlier efforts by integrating comprehensive strategies that anticipate seismic risks, implement preventive measures, and ensure rapid recovery capabilities.
This paradigm shift is characterized by increasing diversification in management subjects, innovation in policy tools influenced by economic systems, and adaptation driven by global environmental factors, national strategies, and emergency responses.
The evolution of China's earthquake emergency management policies underscores the dynamic nature of institutional change. As we move forward, embracing digital transformation and enhancing legal frameworks will be pivotal in modernizing disaster governance systems and capabilities. The paradigmatic shift from relief-focused to comprehensive risk management exemplifies a proactive strategy that protect lives and property through integrated policy approaches.
This research is supported by specific funding body or grant number. We ext our gratitude to potential contributors for their contributions to this study.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.
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was published in Emergency Management Science and Technology Volume 2, Issue 14, Year 2024.
References:
Barr, M. S., DiMaggio, P. J. 2023. Evolution of Institutionalism. In Social Theory and Social Policy. Routledge.
DiMaggio, P. J., Powell, W. W. 1983. The Iron Cage Revisited: Institutional Isomorphism and Collective Rationality in Organizational Fields. American Sociological Review, 482, 147-160.
Wang, L., Zhang, Y. 2018. Assessing the Evolution of Earthquake Policies in China through Historical Institutionalism. Journal of Risk and Uncertnty, 563, 341-360.
Yuan, J., Li, X., Chen, G. 2019. Building Codes and Seismic Design Standards: A Policy Evolution in China. Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, 486, 785-806.
This revised section introduces a more structured format with clearer headings, references to the theoretical framework of historical institutionalism, and additional context provided through literature review. The ties together thematic elements while highlighting future directions for digital transformation and legal enhancement in disaster management policy.
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China Earthquake Policy Transformation Historical Institutionalism in Disaster Management Chinese Seismic Risk Strategies Evolution Paradigm Shifts for Better Governance Digital Transformation in Chinese应急管理 Comprehensive Prevention and Relief Policies