Risk in Social Theory

Abstract

This chapter sketches the theoretical landscape of risk in the social sciences. It provides an overview of the micro-, macro-, and meso-social theories of risk from realist and constructivist perspectives; to inter-disciplinary frameworks such as SARF and risk governance. It introduces Actor–Network Theory into the discussion and explains how a material–semiotic conceptualisation of risk helps transcend social and technical determinism in risk research. It presents an argument for bringing environmental, social and other hybrid entities like technology into a common fold of analysis; conceptualising the power relations of risk as a fluid and hybrid network; and opening social analysis to the productive effects of risk.