American Ground Case Study
“American Underground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center” Case Study
Byron D. Stanley
Governors State University
Introduction
American Ground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center is a prime example of many of the issues associated with the bureaucratic system and shines a light on the importance of informal groups within public administration. The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon forever changed the lives of Americans. It also exposed the workings of informal groups and how powerfully they can respond when ignored. Especially in times of high emotion, it is essential that public administrators take into account organizational objectives as well as the impact their decision has on society to achieve a balanced success.
The major informal groups this study will focus on include: Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other high-level administrators, firemen, policemen, and families of the victims. Although there were others involved, these groups had the most influence on the case. Also, due to the mass amount of death and the inherent comradery that exists amongst policemen and firemen ideally and within this case, it is vital that public administrators strongly consider the emotional impact of all decisions made in a situation of this magnitude.
History
On September 11, 2001, terrorist flew two planes into the World Trade Center buildings. After the buildings collapsed, over 3,000 Americans were killed and many additional bodies were trapped in the debris. This event had a profound effect on the lives of Americans and forever changed their outlook on the adverse effects of war. The main issue in this study involves the informal groups; specifically how they interacted with each other and their influence on public administration, especially clean-up initiatives. The clean-up was complicated by differing views on how it should have been carried out by the different groups.
About a month after the attacks on the World
Byron D. Stanley
Governors State University
Introduction
American Ground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center is a prime example of many of the issues associated with the bureaucratic system and shines a light on the importance of informal groups within public administration. The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon forever changed the lives of Americans. It also exposed the workings of informal groups and how powerfully they can respond when ignored. Especially in times of high emotion, it is essential that public administrators take into account organizational objectives as well as the impact their decision has on society to achieve a balanced success.
The major informal groups this study will focus on include: Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other high-level administrators, firemen, policemen, and families of the victims. Although there were others involved, these groups had the most influence on the case. Also, due to the mass amount of death and the inherent comradery that exists amongst policemen and firemen ideally and within this case, it is vital that public administrators strongly consider the emotional impact of all decisions made in a situation of this magnitude.
History
On September 11, 2001, terrorist flew two planes into the World Trade Center buildings. After the buildings collapsed, over 3,000 Americans were killed and many additional bodies were trapped in the debris. This event had a profound effect on the lives of Americans and forever changed their outlook on the adverse effects of war. The main issue in this study involves the informal groups; specifically how they interacted with each other and their influence on public administration, especially clean-up initiatives. The clean-up was complicated by differing views on how it should have been carried out by the different groups.
About a month after the attacks on the World