Introduction

This issue of The Forum gives special attention to the governmental response to Hurricane Katrina. Scholars draw on research from risk management, organizational theory and the historical development of federal emergency agencies to explain how FEMA and other government organizations reacted to the most recent natural catastrophe. This issue also includes articles about the nature of contemporary partisanship through a critique of Thomas Frank's What's the Matter with Kansas? and another piece that suggests we look beyond formal party organizations to understand how American parties campaign in elections. A special book review section considers George Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant!, which argues that Democrats should re-frame their political messages to increase support among voters.