Social Responsibility for Creation of New Risk Communication Knowledge and Model Change of Public Choice

Abstract

A value system created by the so-called “loud minority,” a small group of experts who have collaborated with the government and business corporations, has percolated into society through the implementation of their policy measures. As a result, risks capable of bringing about diversified and complex effects have expanded in our society. At a time when the importance of creating a society fostered by the participation of citizens has been increasingly recognized, it has become necessary for us to devise a policy assessment method that can reflect values held by the overwhelming majority of future ordinary citizens who cannot essentially express their demands. “Risk communication” is one of abilities that humans have acquired in the process of their biological evolution as “a life-sustaining device.” Such a device is designed to maximize the length of time that humans can spend comfortably in the Earth environment packed with all sorts of risks, and is designed to maximize the chances of their survival. Risk communication is thus an indispensable element in the process of humans making publicly acceptable policy choices by integrating their individually made subjective value judgments into a more universal value system. © 2007, JAPAN SECTION OF THE REGIONAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved.