The "Sixth Estate" theory

The "Sixth estate" theory, formalised at the end of the 1980s, refers to the increasing number of groups of organized citizens who work to bring law and rationality in the public services sphere and, more generally, where there is chaos and arbitrariness; this suggests the existence of a new power, the power of citizens which had to be acknowledged. This sixth "estate" adds up to the three traditional estates of democracies and those of the mass media (the fourth and fifth estate) (Quaranta, G. 1989).

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Density of active citizenship

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: All disaster phases, Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery

Types of Actors Concerned: Active citizens