Cadres de perception et luttes d'imputation dans la gestion de crise: L'exemple de « la canicule» D'aoû 2003

Abstract

The deficiencies in the government's reactions towards the public health crisis generated by the heatwave found for a large part their origin in the perception frameworks which were applied to the situation. Historical schemata (droughts) and strategic ones (the supply of energy) came into play there, as well as the way the problem was assessed (the main focus being laid on the recurrent overstretching of the emergency services). The debate about who or what was responsible for the situation centered on the presentation and perception of the inadequate response from the French authorities. However the lack of any political mobilisation towards ascribing responsibility to the governing body, added to the political majority's promotion of a diluted reponsibility thesis, led to the perception and subsequent validation of a < thesis by which responsibility is assigned on admittedly unpredictable situations. The dilution of responsibility for the politicians that such an interpretation entailed has precluded calls for political or judicial sanctions.© 2005 Presses de Sciences Po.