The Sociology Book

158

H

uman societies have
always faced dangers, and
historically these have
usually been “natural” in origin. In
recent years, science, technology,
and industry have created
prosperity, but have also brought
about new dangers (for example,
those posed by the production of
nuclear power), which have focused
the thoughts of individuals and
societies on a quest for safety and
the idea of calculable risk. In the
mid-1980s the German sociologist
Ulrich Beck claimed that our
relationship to society and its

means that individuals, groups,

governments, and corporations

are increasingly concerned about

the production, dissemination,

and experience of risk. We now

have to confront problems that

previous generations could not

imagine, and this requires new

societal responses.

In his earlier work, Beck points

in particular to the risks posed

by nuclear energy, the chemical

industry, and biotechnology. He

says that the application of science

and technology to meet human

needs has reached a critical

institutions had changed profoundly

over the past decades, and that this

required a new way of thinking

about risk. Beck argues that social

life is progressing from a first stage of

modernity to an emergent second, or

“reflexive,” stage. This is shaped by

an awareness that control of—and

mastery over—nature and society

may be impossible. This awareness

may itself lead to disenchantment

with existing social structures as

providers of safety and reassurance.

A key characteristic of this new

stage is the emergence of a global

“risk society,” by which Beck

ULRICH BECK

IN CONTEXT

FOCUS

Risk society

KEY DATES

1968 The Club of Rome think

tank is founded and in 1972

publishes a report “The Limits

to Growth,” which identifies

the risk posed by excessive

population growth.

1984 US sociologist Charles

Perrow publishes Normal

Accidents: Living with High-

Risk Technologies.

1999 US sociologist Barry

Glassner draws on Ulrich

Beck’s concept of risk in

The Culture of Fear: Why

Americans Are Afraid

of the Wrong Things.

2001 The 9/11 attacks on

the US lead to worldwide

changes in the perception

of the risks posed by

international terrorist

organizations.

We are entering a new period of “reflexive”

modernity, which is characterized

by uncertainty and insecurity.

Loss of respect for institutions and experts

creates uncertainty and doubt as we begin

to fear we are living in a world that is

beyond controllability.

The scientific and technological revolution that delivered

progress is now viewed as having introduced problems

of development and global risks.

Nothing appears fixed anymore and contradictions

emerge between scientists and policymakers about

the appropriate risk response.