Cultural Politics Of Natural Disasters
Discourses On Volcanic Eruptions In Indonesia

In Western thought, nature is conceptualised as environment, 'out there', excluding the 'inner nature' of man. But the term 'natural disaster' should not distract from human factors being responsible for, or having an influence on, natural events. Even when the primary causes are not 'man-made', as is the case for example with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the effects on human beings make the designation 'disastrous' unquestionable. Hence, human involvement cannot be denied, 'because "natural" disasters always occur from a combination of nature and society.' (Geipel 1992, translation mine). Many disasters are a complex mix of natural hazards and human action. In this context it must also be remembered that in the twentieth century, not nature but political power and violence have engendered the highest numbers of victims.