Determining public policy and resource allocation priorities for mitigating natural hazards: a capabilities-based...

Area of Science:

• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Public Policy
• Development Economics

Background:

• Traditional Cost-benefit Analysis (CBA) inadequately addresses criteria for effective public policy and resource allocation in hazard mitigation.
• Existing frameworks often fail to prioritize individual well-being and the real achievability of essential functionings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate a Capabilities-based Approach (CBA) as a superior framework for hazard mitigation policy and resource allocation.
• To demonstrate how this approach better aligns with public policy goals and individual well-being.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing criteria for adequate policy and resource allocation frameworks.
• Analyzing the limitations of Cost-benefit Analysis in hazard mitigation.
• Presenting and applying the Capabilities-based Approach, drawing from development economics.

Main Results:

• The Capabilities-based Approach focuses on protecting and promoting individual well-being, defined by functionings (e.g., being alive, healthy, sheltered).
• It incorporates risk acceptability and hazard affectability into decision-making.
• The approach meets essential criteria for policy formulation and resource allocation, overcoming CBA limitations while retaining strengths.

Conclusions:

• The Capabilities-based Approach offers a more robust and ethically grounded framework for hazard mitigation.
• It provides a better method for decision-making by focusing on what individuals are actually able to do and be.
• This approach enhances the formulation of public policy and the allocation of resources for disaster risk reduction.