<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> People have always lived under conditions of uncertainty. But how to deal with uncertainty and how security is produced varies depending on the social formation. This paper deals with the handling of uncertainty in modern societies. Modern societies always try to conceptualize uncertainties as action-related, responsible and calculable/predictable ‘risks’. This was a quite successful approach for a long time. However, under the conditions of ‘risk society’, this approach is increasingly difficult to work. Especially in the case of ‘new risks’, the attempt to conceptualize any uncertainty as a predictable and cumulatively controllable risk, can hardly be realized. That's why modern societies must ask for and reflect on a ‘new culture of uncertainty’.</p></abstract>

People have always lived under conditions of uncertainty. But how to deal with uncertainty and how security is produced varies depending on the social formation. This paper deals with the handling of uncertainty in modern societies. Modern societies always try to conceptualize uncertainties as action-related, responsible and calculable/predictable ‘risks’. This was a quite successful approach for a long time. However, under the conditions of ‘risk society’, this approach is increasingly difficult to work. Especially in the case of ‘new risks’, the attempt to conceptualize any uncertainty as a predictable and cumulatively controllable risk, can hardly be realized. That's why modern societies must ask for and reflect on a ‘new culture of uncertainty’.

Risk. Dealing with Uncertainty in Modern Times

Universität der Bundeswehr München, Fakultät für Staats- und Sozialwissenschaften, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany

Social Change Review

{"article-title":"Risk. Dealing with Uncertainty in Modern Times"}

People have always lived under conditions of uncertainty. But how to deal with uncertainty and how security is produced varies depending on the social...

Risk. Dealing with Uncertainty in Modern Times

Published Online: Aug 15, 2013

Page range: 7 - 36

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scr-2013-0002

Keywords
Risk Uncertainty Safety Security Risk society Risk culture

This content is open access.

Risk. Dealing with Uncertainty in Modern Times

Published Online: Aug 15, 2013

Page range: 7 - 36

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scr-2013-0002

KeywordsRisk Uncertainty Safety Security Risk society Risk culture

This content is open access.

Keywords
Risk Uncertainty Safety Security Risk society Risk culture