Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Using an original dataset of public and private relief spending for 293 cities, this paper seeks to describe and explain the racial patterning of relief provision in American cities on the eve of the Great Depression. In 1929, cities with more Blacks and Mexicans spent significantly less on relief and their relief systems were funded with comparatively more private as opposed to public funds. Meanwhile, cities with more European immigrants spent significantly more on relief and funded their relief systems with more public funds. I argue that in order to understand these particular patterns of relief provision, it is most helpful to think of each group as living in three different worlds, each with its own particular set of race and labor market relations and distinct political systems. These different systems of political and labor market relations—and the disparate attitudes that emerged from these worlds about each group’s use of relief—powerfully shaped the patterns of relief provision across American cities.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper examined the nature of relationships between government and nonprofit organizations based on a conceptual framework of Government-NPOs relations in complementary, supplementary, and adversary dimensions. Using the 921 earthquake relief in Taiwan and Hanshin-Awaji earthquake relief in Japan as case study, to explore the range of possible relationships between NPOs and government and found their similarity with crisis. First, the supplementary model: the results revealed when government takes more responsibility for provision, NPOs didn’t reduce their services. The reason is that nonprofit organizations will compensate adequately for governmental withdrawal or retrenchment while sustaining the enhancement activities. Second, in complementary model: the results showed when government expenditures increase, they help finance increasing levels of activity by nonprofits. This kind of relationship emphasis on governmental assimilation and control of nonprofit organizations, is likely to become more prominent in times requiring national unity, such as disaster crisis. Third, in the adversary model, the results didn’t show serious confronting positions. Past experience with crisis is expected to be great value when faced with similar situations in the future. During the response phase, one of the biggest challenges was resource integration. If resources can’t be allocated efficiently or adequately, it will slow down the relief work. During the recovery phase, in supplementary relationship, government must make an effort to clear up legal regulations. In complementary relationship, the first pressing need is to build mutual trust. Also, needed is the redefinition of each role and expectations in their partnership.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Why did some Americans volunteer to provide relief to the September 11 terrorist attack victims? This paper uses data from a nationally representative sample of Americans to answer this question. We argue that the act of volunteering in response to September 11 depended on levels of identification with victims of the tragedy. One of the strongest factors was personal identification with victims, which was built through personal networks, such as knowing someone who was killed or in danger, and through personal prayer and altruistic orientations. Identification with victims was also built through heightened identification with the imagined community of the nation or of a particular region as well as through involvement in social events that reflect on the significance of the disaster in a communal setting. We argue that emotions matter for disaster relief, but that sorrow rather than anger is important. We also specify how organizational ties matter for civic participation, showing how active involvement in religious and nonreligious voluntary organizations created the opportunities and solidarity incentives for mobilization for 9/11 relief efforts. Finally, we show the various ways in which gender and race affect identification with victims, and how these produce gender and racial differences in 9/11 volunteering.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Disaster relief is intertwined with many social marketing objectives which often include health, livelihood, social welfare and community rebuilding issues. Using the social marketing framework, we examine case examples from recent tsunami disaster relief efforts in Asia (primarily from Banda Aceh and Tamil Nadu, India) which utilized Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). We draw lessons on how and when ICTs can play a focal role in influencing collective welfare, education levels, livelihood generation activities, sharing health resources, improving mortality and in shaping communal roles. Implications for policy and disaster relief agencies are proposed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: At the end of the year 2002, Japan finally announced to cancel its all debts owed by the world's poorest countries, making Japan's policy in line with other G7 creditor countries. As Japan was the largest creditor among the G7, it had much to lose in terms of national interests by forgiving debts. This paper examines why Japan changed its policy after having resisted the international call for a long time. The paper starts with the critical appraisal of Japan's foreign aid policy, pointing out the large sum of credits was the reflection of its not well-managed aid policy. Then, it investigates the issue in light of general Japanese foreign policy debate. It has been widely argued that Japan is reactive to foreign (particularly American) pressure, but the author contends Japan was reactive to foreign (not American) pressure with legitimate international norms in the case of debt relief policy.