Community Empowerment Theory of Risk Management. J. P. Sah, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3137
The community empowerment theory of risk management describes the association between risk management and community power structure, and it can be used as a tool to predict the local decisions regarding risk issues. Clear patterns of local adoption of risk mitigation measures have been identified based upon the community power structure. Using a survey research design, ninety three communities in Texas (61% of total population) with populations between 10,000 and 100,000 were profiled in terms of their risk management issues, social, economical, and political circumstances. Those patterns include, for example, communities with decentralized power structure are more likely to use both structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures. The association between risk mitigation activities and power structures were then analyzed in these communities. It was predictable and the study found that the social-economic status of a community is a significant factor in its risk reduction activities. However, the study also found that regardless of other significant factors (like growth rate) the community power structure is significantly associated with risk management. Further, the power structure influences decisions that redistribute costs or benefits. While the study was restricted to flooding and solid waste issues, the community empowerment theory clearly has implications in all risk management programs.
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