The study on disaster repairing

reflections from a pragmatic perspective on public issues

Abstract

This article presents reflections on disaster studies and the pragmatist sociology of public issues, based on repairing approaches. Taking into account both field research and theoretical approaches, the article explores the potential of a pragmatist approach to disaster studies and presents some findings from a case study of the Samarco disaster. Primary data was collected through fieldwork carried out between August 2019 and January 2020 in a community in the Rio Doce estuary, while secondary data was gathered from media articles between 2015 and 2018, as well as from documents, reports and technical notes. We emphasize the potential of pragmatist sociology to address the problematization of public issues affecting areas facing crises and disasters. For example, the arrival of the mud changed the trajectory of the local community and local actors strive to understand the challenge while reflecting and acting on questions about their past and future. In a trajectory marked by bifurcations and moments of proof, various approaches to inhabiting the territory were adopted, as well as different narratives and repertoires of action interacting with instruments and dispositifs of repair. Finally, we emphasize the importance of considering the trajectory of repair considering the past and the future, as well the non-humans, as well as paying attention to vulnerabilities, controversies and uncertainties involved.