Performing Crisis Management: National Repertoires of Symbolic Action and Their Usage during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Europe
Fiche du document
8 décembre 2021
- handle: 10670/1.058z6o
- hal: hal-03479373
- doi: 10.1177/00323217211058305
Ce document est lié à :
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1177/00323217211058305
Mots-clés
symbols crisis management public performance repertoires of symbolic action Covid-19 pandemic leader personaSujets proches
Crises--Management Management of crisesCiter ce document
Laurie Boussaguet et al., « Performing Crisis Management: National Repertoires of Symbolic Action and Their Usage during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Europe », Archive ouverte de Sciences Po (SPIRE), ID : 10.1177/00323217211058305
Métriques
Partage / Export
Résumé
The role of the symbolic is often overlooked in the public policy literature. Yet, it is a key component of public action, particularly in crisis management. During the Covid-19 pandemic, all democratic states needed to carry out cognitive and emotional work to persuade their citizens to show solidarity and comply with heavy restrictions. The near-simultaneous occurrence of the pandemic’s first wave (March–May 2020) allows us to compare the patterns of symbolic crisis management across four European countries (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom). Our analysis finds significant variation in governments’ usage of the symbolic. We analyse leaders’ performances (wordcraft and stagecraft) as they try to reassure citizens, unite the nation, and legitimise themselves and their decisions. Our article shows not only that national leaders pay great attention to the symbolic in the management of crises, but also that their performances differ systematically in line with their personas and distinct national political cultures.