Theorizing disaster communitas

Abstract

Disaster scholars have long complained that their field is theory light: they are much better at doing and saying than analyzing. The paucity of theory doubtless reflects an understandable focus on case studies and practical solutions. Yet this works against big picture thinking. Consequently, both our comprehension of social suffering and our ability to mitigate it are fragmented. Communitas is exemplary here. This refers to the improvisational acts of mutual help, collective feeling and utopian desires that emerge in the wake of disasters. It has been observed for as long as there has been a sociology of disasters. Within the field, there have been numerous efforts to name and describe it. Yet there has been far less enthusiasm to theorize it, which means that the disaster literature has not adequately explained the social conditions under which communitas arises (or fails to). In this article, we synthesize numerous case studies to do so. This takes us beyond simple statements of what communitas is and what it should be called, to considerations of the conditions under which it emerges, how it should be conceptualized, the factors that might prevent communitas, and how we might encourage it. While primarily a theoretical work, the identification of communitas’ facilitators and barriers have practical import for disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy as communitas has frequently proven to be a positive and potent force.

Longitudinal Cohort Study of Depression and Anxiety Among Older Informal Caregivers Following the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Increases in symptoms of psychological stress following the initial response associated with cohabitation with the care recipient and low levels of support from friend and family networks are particularly relevant to pandemic restrictions, in which caregivers may be particularly isolated in their caregiving role. Capitalising on normally available supports and a sense of communitas observed to emerge during disaster events ( Matthewman & Uekusa, 2021 ), future pandemic responses may meaningfully support caregivers by making explicit provisions for and facilitating safe extensions of household ‘bubbles’ to include others who may normally or may be enabled during periods of restrictions on work or other responsibilities to provide help (e.g. via testing, advice on suitable periods and protocols for isolation of linked households, and supply and advice on use of personal protective equipment such as masks and hand sanitiser).…”

“… Gibson et al, 2018 ; O’Sullivan et al, 2018 ; Uekusa, 2019 ; Wakui et al, 2017 ). Further, fuelled with community altruism ( Solnit, 2010 ) and emerging sense of disaster communitas ( Matthewman & Uekusa, 2021 ), emergent and existing community groups often reach out to groups perceived as being vulnerable following disasters and attempt to fill the gaps in social and health services. This community response was evident during the early months of the pandemic response in New Zealand (e.g.…”

‘Let communities do their work’: the role of mutual aid and self‐help groups in the Covid‐19 pandemic response

“…Pandemic Solidarity is an important reminder that while the aid industry at large has not paid much attention to the scale and importance of mutual aid, others have been more open to recognising and valuing such expressions of local agency. Although preferring the term ‘communitas', Matthewman and Uekusa ( 2021 ) offer a particularly helpful introduction to and reflection on current literature related to what we refer to here as ‘mutual aid'.…”

“…In several cases, the latter were able to build on and take advantage of the experience harnessed by mutual aid and other grassroots initiatives as their more institutionalised responses gathered speed. As Matthewman and Uekusa ( 2021 , p. 14) concluded in their paper: ‘community groups often succeed where governments fail'. The potential, therefore, for communitas to ‘build back better’ means that it should be enhanced.…”

“… 6 See the community characteristics identified in Matthewman and Uekusa's ( 2021 ) paper on disaster communitas. …”