Origin of the concept related to vulnerability. Before recently invading the vocabulary of the social sciences, the concept of resilience was a physical notion that referred to shock resistance. The use that is now made of it in the social sciences, particularly in economics, psychology, and ecology, remains in accordance with the initial definition: it is a capacity to resist shock or trauma. In the vocabulary of economics the concept of resilience has spread in the wake of that of vulnerability: vulnerability to a shock.
By Patrick GUILLAUMONT, Laurent WAGNERin Tishka F. and Sai N. (eds.) Possible Development and Uses of Multidimensional Vulnerability Indices, Analysis and Recommendations, United Nations 2021.
Report prepared by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Report Lead: Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Commonwealth Secretariat; Technical Lead: Travis Mitchell, Commonwealth Secretariat; Lead Technical Consultant: Patrick Guillaumont, FERDI; Technical Consultant: Laurent Wagner, FERDI. Foreword by the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
