II. Risk society

Question 1

Simply, what is a risk society?

Answer 1

what an industrial society becomes once progress is overshadowed by risk - citizens are anxious, hyperaware that science can no longer be used to prevent risks, so become obsessed with risk

Question 2

What is reflexive modernisation aka. ‘modernity’s reflex’ (Beck, 1999)?

Answer 2

alternative modernisation to counter emerging uncontrollable, unpredictable risks characterised by:

hyperawareness of inability to control -> constantly thinking of risk even in mundane daily tasks -> self-aware, interested in future and taming it

progressive individualisation, self-branding

growing dependence on institutions as problems framed by science (e.g. IPCC) but simultaneously trust is diminished (Giddens, 2002)

-> anxiety: dependent on things we don’t trust, loss of religion/tradition, putting faith in new development and science but now is source of fears, uncertainties of identity (class, gender, appearance)

Question 3

What is, as Steve put it, ‘modernity’s reflux’? Or, the state of a society that creates new risks?

Answer 3

self-damage through
modernisation and the liberal application of technology which unintentionally produces new risks (basically ecological risks, Ewald)

i.e. the dark side to modernist optimism whereby our ‘technological advancements’ become the cause of our own demise e.g. DDT (Carson, 1962), progress begins to be overshadowed by risk

Question 4

How can we ‘modernise modernity’ according to Beck (1999)?

Answer 4

through adoption of the precautionary principle and participatory politics.

1. science has lost authority and is exposed as irrationally narrow with a limited application, so despite our dependence on it, we trust it less.
2. anxiety greater, scientists will/should be willing to slow down, adopt PP, ensure research is rigorous, trusted
3. to engage with and redistribute expertise in order to enhance trust and increase knowledge, manage conflict

Question 5

What can be used to exemplify the necessity of PP + PP in managing risk?

Answer 5

Herbicide 2,4,5-T/Agent Orange

Failure to take precautionary approach -> no engagement with industry-specific people; farmer knowledge.

Diminished trust in institutions by farmers.

Question 6

What can be used to exemplify an attempt at participatory politics? Did it work? Could it work?

Answer 6

NIREX (Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive) LLW siting consultation as a means of countering poor 70s Decide Announce Defend approach -> 60 seminars, focus groups, 2500 written responses -> Sellafield chosen, had most local support

Wasn’t good geologically in the end (groundwater risk) so problem still unresolved.