Risk-framing governmentalities in a changing climate: political rationalities and discursive fields

Abstract

This article analyzes de political rationalities and discursive fields informing the articulation between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Through critical discourse analysis, the study examines regulatory frameworks, public policies and national plans adopted between 2015 and 2024. The research identifies four dominant discursive fields: evidence-based decision-making, urgent climate action, common but differentiated responsibilities, and compensation for damages and losses. Findings suggest a multilevel epistemic coloniality, privileging global agendas, future climate scenarios, impact modeling, and risk financialization. As a result, technocratic approaches and reactive measures prevail, limiting the problematization of structural causes of vulnerability.