Political Science 3334E Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Ulrich Beck, Anthony Giddens, Risk Society
7 Nov 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Risk society is a post-industrial continuation of a our welfare state; our modern society has changed dramatically, in the sense that technological/economical developments can no longer control their own risks. This led to new political distribution challenge: from distribution of goods to distribution of bads. Not distribution of goods/services, but how to deal with the risks (or bads) inherent in the system, e. g. environmental pollution, globalization, internet. Risks faced by modern individuals are different to risks faced by individuals in traditional/pre-modern societies. In traditional societies individuals confronted by external risks associated with nature (flood, famine, crop failure), while in modern societies, individuals more likely to be faced with risks created by society and its social institutions: "manufactured uncertainties" (giddens). In this sense our late modernity = a "risk culture". Anthony giddens on modern risk : the best way to explain what is going on is to make a distinction between two types of risk.
