Explanation
The term Risk Society was introduced by German sociologist Ulrich Beck in his influential work Risikogesellschaft (1986). It characterizes a phase of modernity in which the central social, political, and economic challenges no longer stem from scarcity and production, but from the management of self-generated risks—such as climate change, nuclear disasters, or global financial crises. In a risk society, the sources of danger are often systemic and globally interconnected, leading to new forms of uncertainty and inequality. Individuals are increasingly held responsible for avoiding risks in their personal lives, a process Beck refers to as individualization.
Theoretical Reference
The concept is central to Beck’s theory of reflexive modernization and has become a cornerstone in contemporary environmental sociology, political theory, and critical risk studies. It also resonates with Anthony Giddens’ ideas on late modernity and global risk governance.