(ISBN
978-3-518-41425-5)
This is
definitely one of the most difficult to read books I’ve encountered in the past
years, due to the way it’s written. As it’s in German (and I’m not sure if this
particular version has an English translation) this may be a bridge too far for
some anyway, but even for people who are used to reading both German and
academic papers this one may be prove challenging. Anyway, it was for me and I
considered a few times to just give up, but I decided to persist and at least
try to squeeze the main essence from it. This wasn’t easy due to the flowery
and circular language that is frequented by words that common mortals will
avoid at any cost in every day conversations (or writing, for that matter). It’s
probably a typical example of a book written by an academic for other academics…
Okay,
having given that warning let’s proceed to the contents. The book is a
follow-up of his 1986 classic “Risikogesellschaft” and expands on the ideas
presented there and an English book from 1999. It deals with risk on a global
level and how is dealt with it, or should be dealt with is. Pretty much of the
discussion is fairly philosophical in character and grounded in sociological
theories (Beck is a Professor in Sociology, after all) which I’m not all that
familiar with, so that may very well be one reason that much of the writing
doesn’t appeal all that much to me. If I try to summarize some of the most
important points these would include:
- The “success” of modern society - and not its failure - has created some major risks (often as unintended side effects). These include economical/financial, ecological/environmental and terrorism, and related, some kinds of warfare.
- These major risks have impact that transcend national borders and often have global impact (hence the title of the book: World Risk Society).
- Trying to solve these problems/risks with common approaches on national levels is futile (trying to have an individual environment-friendly life-style is nice, but as long as not all the major countries change course rather pointless).
- Risks are no longer dealt with only by governments and regulators, but also by bottom-up transnational organisations (e.g. Greenpeace) or top-down supranational organisations. Or even by ad hoc cooperation of for example customers who decide to boycott a certain brand and thereby effectively cause a change in policy.
- The effects of risks aren’t necessary dependable on the fact that anticipated consequences actually materialize; if presented “well” the possibility becomes the reality which is best illustrated by the experiences of everyone who tries to travel by plane after 9/11.
- The perception of risk does not necessarily depend on ‘scientific’ analysis and rationality, but also on presentation, knowledge and ignorance, information and disinformation, culture and religion.
- And let’s not forget the role of massmedia.
- The distribution of risk is in many cases asymmetrical and often in favour of the decision maker, but not necessarily so - many global risks will affect everyone in a most democratic manner. Even so, risk export happens. Often.
Risiko
Ergo Sum.
As a whole
an interesting, but very demanding, book which gives a slightly different view
on risk from a totally different perspective than most safety professionals
usually deal with. Some clear links to Taleb’s work too. But I’d say start with
Taleb and you will have covered a good deal of Beck’s points too, in a (IMHO) more
pleasantly readable way. The Wikipedia pages on Beck and his work are very
informative, by the way.
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