The constant threat of crises such as disasters, riots and terrorist attacks poses a frightening challenge to
Western societies and governments. While the causes and dynamics of these events have been widely studied, we know
little about what happens following their containment and the restoration of stability. This volume explores 'post-crisis
politics,' examining how crises give birth to longer term dynamic processes of accountability and learning which
are characterised by official investigations, blame games, political manoeuvring, media scrutiny and crisis exploitation.
Drawing from a wide range of contemporary crises, including Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, the Madrid train bombings,
the Walkerton water contamination, Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia and the Boxing Day Asian tsunami, this
is a ground-breaking volume which addresses the longer term impact of crisis-induced politics. Competing pressures
for stability and change mean that policies, institutions and leaders may occasionally be uprooted, but often survive
largely intact.