Theories of Uncertainty and Risk across Different Modernities

Theories of Uncertainty and Risk across Different Modernities

Author: Patrick Brown

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-12-07

Total Pages: 287

ISBN-13: 1351624776

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Setting out to challenge various common assumptions in risk research, this collection explores how uncertainty is handled in a range of social contexts across the globe. Social science research often emphasises the salience of risk and uncertainty for grasping the dynamics of late-modern societies, with theoretical frameworks tending to associate the emergence of risk with particular, fairly homogenous, European or ‘North-Western’ paths of modernisation. These theoretical narratives can be seen as shaping various assumptions regarding ‘risk cultures’, not least associations with post-traditional, largely secular and liberal characteristics. Risk is therefore analysed in terms of modern, active, ‘rational’ citizens, meanwhile faith, hope or magic are implicitly relegated to the past, the oriental, the passive and/or the irrational. Central to the book is the consideration of risk across a range of different modernities. While the precise meaning and organisational processes of risk vary, we see the common combining of risk, faith, magic and hope as people go forward amid uncertain circumstances. Whether seeking health amid illness, survival amid flooding, or safety amid migration, we explore the pertinence of risk around the globe. We also stress the ubiquity of faith and the magical in various modern settings. This book was originally published as a special issue of Health, Risk & Society.


Theories of Uncertainty and Risk Across Different Modernities

Theories of Uncertainty and Risk Across Different Modernities

Author: Patrick Brown

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781315113357

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"Setting out to challenge various common assumptions in risk research, this collection explores how uncertainty is handled in a range of social contexts across the globe. Social science research often emphasises the salience of risk and uncertainty for grasping the dynamics of late-modern societies, with theoretical frameworks tending to associate the emergence of risk with particular, fairly homogenous, European or 'North-Western' paths of modernisation. These theoretical narratives can be seen as shaping various assumptions regarding 'risk cultures', not least associations with post-traditional, largely secular and liberal characteristics. Risk is therefore analysed in terms of modern, active, 'rational' citizens, meanwhile faith, hope or magic are implicitly relegated to the past, the oriental, the passive and/or the irrational.Central to the book is the consideration of risk across a range of different modernities. While the precise meaning and organisational processes of risk vary, we see the common combining of risk, faith, magic and hope as people go forward amid uncertain circumstances. Whether seeking health amid illness, survival amid flooding, or safety amid migration, we explore the pertinence of risk around the globe. We also stress the ubiquity of faith and the magical in various modern settings. This book was originally published as a special issue of Health, Risk & Society."--Provided by publisher.


Social Theories of Risk and Uncertainty

Social Theories of Risk and Uncertainty

Author: Jens O. Zinn

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2009-01-22

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1444301497

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Written by leading experts in the field, Social Theories of Risk and Uncertainty is an introduction to mainstream theorizing on risk and uncertainty in sociology. Provides an overview of the historical developments and conceptual aspects of risk Identifies why theorizing on risk is necessary and highlights specific sociological contributions to this field of research Explores key topics including risk society and reflexive modernization, culture and risk, governmentality and risk, systems theory and risk, and edgework and voluntary risk taking Offers a comprehensive look at the promises, pitfalls, and perspectives of risk theorizing


Ulrich Beck

Ulrich Beck

Author: Mads Peter Sørensen

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 0415693691

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In Ulrich Beck, Mads P. Sørensen and Allan Christiansen provide an extensive and thorough introduction to the German sociologist's collected works. Focusing on the theory outlined in Beck's chief work, Risk Society, and on his theory of second modernity, Sørensen and Christiansen explain the sociologist's ideas and writing in a clear and accessible way.


Risk Society

Risk Society

Author: Ulrich Beck

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 1992-09-03

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 9780803983465

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An analysis of the condition of Western societies that will take its place as a core text of contemporary sociology alongside earlier typifications of society as postindustrial, and current debates about the social dimensions of the postmodern


Protean Power

Protean Power

Author: Peter J. Katzenstein

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2018-01-18

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 1108425178

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Mainstream international relations continues to assume that the world is governed by calculable risk based on estimates of power, despite repeatedly being surprised by unexpected change. This ground breaking work departs from existing definitions of power that focus on the actors' evolving ability to exercise control in situations of calculable risk. It introduces the concept of 'protean power', which focuses on the actors' agility as they adapt to situations of uncertainty. Protean Power uses twelve real world case studies to examine how the dynamics of protean and control power can be tracked in the relations among different state and non-state actors, operating in diverse sites, stretching from local to global, in both times of relative normalcy and moments of crisis. Katzenstein and Seybert argue for a new approach to international relations, where the inclusion of protean power in our analytical models helps in accounting for unforeseen changes in world politics.


A Theory of Catastrophe

A Theory of Catastrophe

Author: Bryan S. Turner

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2023-05-08

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13: 3110772361

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Sociology has developed theories of social change in the fields of evolution, conflict and modernization, viewing modern society as essentially unstable and conflict driven. However, it has not seriously studied catastrophe. A Theory of Catastrophe develops a sociology of catastrophes, comparing natural, social and political causes and consequences, and the social theories that might offer explanations. A catastrophe is a general and systematic breakdown of social and political institutions resulting, among other things, in what we could call a catastrophe consciousness. The Greek ‘cata-strophe’ formed the conclusion to a dramatic sequence of strophes. The cata-strophe was the final act of a drama, namely its denouement. Catastrophic denouements are without hope: genocides, military occupations, plagues, famines and earthquakes. A Theory of Catastrophe analyzes Pompeii, the Black Death, colonial genocide in North America, WWI and the Spanish Flu, and Nazi Germany and finally this century: terrorism, new wars, climate change and pandemics. As a study of sociological theory, Bryan Turner discusses Spengler’s Decline of the West, Marxism as a theory of catastrophic capitalism, messianic movements, Weber on modernity, and risk society. He concludes by comparing optimism and pessimism, and the idea of inter-generational justice.


Using Theory to Explore Health, Medicine and Society

Using Theory to Explore Health, Medicine and Society

Author: Kennedy, Peter

Publisher: Policy Press

Published: 2010-06-16

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13: 1847424015

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This student-friendly textbook uses theoretical perspectives to bring to life social theories relating to health and illness. including binge drinking, obesity, the prominence of therapy and the search for happiness.


Strangers, Ambivalence and Social Theory

Strangers, Ambivalence and Social Theory

Author: Bülent Diken

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-12-20

Total Pages: 351

ISBN-13: 0429761899

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First published in 1998, this volume dwells upon the socio-political problem of "under-representation" at great length within the context of immigration through analysis of Turkish immigrants within the "cosy" country of Denmark on the European Periphery. The main purpose has been to show the fictitious and constructed character of the identities that are normally presupposed and taken for granted. Bülent Diken attempts to "defamiliarize" the familiar notions of the "immigrant" and what is taken for granted in the field of immigration. To counter this, Diken allows the "immigrant" to speak throughout interviews. In addition, the study dwells on local and central state policies and planning. This requires a merger of social theory with research on immigration as well as (social and physical) planning, in this case in a Danish context with an examination on how the application of planning and urban politics are oriented toward immigrants. Together with an interest in political and discursive "strategies", the "tactics" used by immigrants in coping with these strategies are focused on at length.


Unlocking Social Theory with Popular Culture

Unlocking Social Theory with Popular Culture

Author: Naomi Barnes

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-08-26

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 3030770117

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This book demonstrates how pop culture examples can be used to demystify complex social theory. It provides tangible, metaphorical examples that shows how it is possible to "do philosophy" rather than subscribe to a theorist by showing that each theorist intersects and overlaps with others. The book is embedded in the literary theory that tapping into background knowledge is a key step in helping people engage with new and difficult texts. It also acknowledges the important role of popular culture in developing comprehension. Using a choose your own adventure structure, this book not only shows students of social theory how various theories can be applied but also reveals the multitude of possible pathways theory provides for comprehending society.