It means that what was originally a global response to a global crisis has become a series of national responses to national crises.
Experts say the Rhode Island emergency system is certain to be studied for lessons in improving regional and national responses to such catastrophes.
Despite attempts by the aid industry to take credit for these initiatives, social transfer programmes are most often national responses to local problems.
The agenda for the next meeting of European leaders, scheduled in Seville, Spain, next month, is immigration and the need to harmonize national responses.
As hard as we may try to restrain our national responses to terrorism, there will be some pretty smart terrorists out there figuring out how to do things that get our attention again.
The eight technology companies also hint at new fears, particularly that competing national responses to the Snowden revelations will not only damage their commercial interests but also lead to a balkanisation of the web as governments try to prevent internet companies from escaping overseas.
