ABSTRACT
Doing things together in order to protect society from harm is a self-evident activity in most societies and cultures. Yet, the study and practice of collaboration in relation to crisis management is a minefield of false starts, conceptual confusion, and practical difficulty. Advances in political science, public administration, public management, and related disciplines and subfields have significantly increased our awareness and knowledge of collaborative governance and management on many important fronts. The demands and expectations concerning streamlined collaborative approaches to risks, hazards, and security have been shaped by broader strategic developments in society. While collaborative approaches for crisis management have become a key priority around the world, issues of collective-action in response to risks, threats, and extreme events have long been on the social science research agenda. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
