Living in and Coping with World Risk Society - 42nd St Gallen Symposium by Ulrich Beck - Movie Review Example

University> By Risk Society Introduction Ulrich Beck is one of the most recognized sociologists in the theory of modernity. Most of his books and journals deal with globalization and risks in the current society. His fellow British sociologist also gave his opinions and details on the issue of risk society. Research reveals that risk society is understood to be the way modernized society respond to uncertainty that makes the daily life. Risks are becoming part of the daily life in the current society. Additionally, several sociologists have come up with various definitions of this term. The most recognized sociologist that this paper will focus its research on in Beck and Giddens (Curran, 2015 p.2). Ulrich Beck argues that “Risk society is a systematic way of dealing with hazards and insecurities induced and introduced by modernization” (Beck, 2006). Modernization is a broad term that is classified in relationship with several aspects of the society. Some of the aspects that determine modernization include technological advancement, change in the organization setup and change in cultural aspects of the society. According to Beck, risk society therefore deals with managing these hazards in the society. He views modernization to be the most pertinent factor leading to the risks. Most of the risks are hazardous hence calling for immediate responses ensuring that the society can survive. Ulrich Beck’s video titled “Living in and coping with world risk society - 42nd St. Gallen Symposium” is very informative and insightful. Beck starts by welcoming his audience which is the students to the lecture. He then brainstorms them with a question. The question goes “what does living and coping with the world risk society mean?”. By asking this question Prof. Beck creates the rapport for the students. The students expect that the presentation will be aimed primarily on answering this question. Prof. Beck then uses a very insightful example to make the students understand more on the world risk (Beck, 2000). Beck uses an example of the commission that was established a couple of years ago by the US Congress. The commission composed of linguistics, physicists, sociologists, biologists and scientists. The commissioned was formed to develop a language or symbolism capable of warning against treats of nuclear attacks. The future generation was to benefit so much from this symbolism. The fact that the commission was composed of professionals from various sectors show the seriousness of the issue. The risk of nuclear to the Americans and the future society is depicted to be so adverse. The US congress henceforth so the need to develop a quick and effective response to this treats(Beck, 2006). Additionally, Antony Giddens also gives his opinions and details on the issue of risk society. He writes “A society is increasingly preoccupied with the future generating the notion of risk” (Giddens). The British sociologist wants to bring out the idea that risks are closely related with the future. As the people work for a better future, they encounter a lot of risks. These risks increase with the changing demands of the individual society’s anticipation for the future (Jarvis, 2012). Extent this concept illuminate the uses and abuses of science and technology in the twentieth and twenty first centuries Beck’s theory of risk society was formulated in 1986 and reviewed in 1992. However, the theory attracted antagonism from the Marxism theory. Beck’s theory greatly rejects what the Marxism proposed about the contemporary society. Beck’s theory is more inclined to the technological changes that are experienced in the current society. In the twentieth centuries, the use of technology was very minimal. The society was not yet enlightened on the issues regarding to technology. In that regard, Beck compared the las century and the twenty first century. In the 21st century, the use of science and technology is higher compared to the previous century. The use of these technologies contributed to the increase in the risks. These risks called for quick response and adjustments in order to manage the risks. Beck argues that these risks are not only exposed to the health and environmental sectors. It is a broader issue that affects most sectors comprising the society (Beck 1992). The theory further explains how the risk society cuts across the all the spheres of the society. Other spheres that are affected include culture and traditions, leadership and employment. When risk society cuts across the society in this way, its impacts are greatly felt. Every member of the society is involved in one way or another on these various spheres of life. People who can access job opportunities face a lot of these risks. However, the risks have both positive and negative impacts. It is very advantageous to the society when the merits outweigh the demerits. Curran (2015) in his Journal of Classical Sociology argues that “In the early 21st century, it may seem incomprehensible to leave ‘capitalism’ out of an analysis of science, technology and industry” (Curran, 2015 p.3). This is a clear indication that there is great relationship between capitalism and science and technology. Capitalism is understood to be the economic and political system where the investment is mainly owned by private investors as contrasted to the state-owned means of wealth in the nation. Science and technology has been therefore been embraced in the maximization of the profits. In the current capitalistic society, there are several benefits associated with science and technology. These benefits are mainly spread by the leaders and those rich members of the society. Industries are replacing skilled workers with efficient technology. Technology is fast and efficient as compared to the human labor. The current managers therefore try as much as possible to implement latest technologies in their companies. Advanced technology in production of goods and services improves productivity and efficiency. The improved productivity translates to higher profits, leading to higher performance of the organization. The twentieth century is characterized by lack behind in the science and technology. Industries had not adopted the use of advanced technology to improve on productivity and efficiency. The level of industry performance was low hence low profitability. The capitalist therefore faced a lot of challenges in ensuring that profits are maximized. A clear way to asses these risks are to analyze the benefits of science and technology in the society (Adam at el., 2013). Benefits of science and technology in the 21st Century The International Council for Science ICSC review strategy (2005) developed a framework to consider science and society issues. The framework constituted five dimensions namely; challenges to universality, production of scientific knowledge, risks and uncertainties, governance and nature of expertise (ICSU, 2005 p.7) All these dimensions summarize the areas of the society that is affected by science and technology. Challenges of universality cover the areas of globalization and use of information technology. Globalization is become part and parcel of the current society. Technology is used in transfer of information from one nation to another. However, this transfer faces a lot of risks. The society is faced with the risk of losing vital information to people with malicious intentions or competitors. There are risks also associated with the use of ICT. In case of failure of these ICT advancements, the organization risks shutdown or malfunction of various operations (Cottle, 1998 p.7). The second dimension affected by science and technology is the production of scientific knowledge. In the twenty first century science and technology have been greatly involved in the generation of knowledge. Research and development institutions such as libraries use technological facilities to ensure effective and efficient research. These facilities have made it easier to generate scientific knowledge. The scientific knowledge generated is accurate and more reliable when compared to the human effort. However, there is great risk in the use of these science and technology in research. Firstly, the facilities used are very costly. Procuring such facilities calls for proper analysis and research on their efficiencies. Secondly, getting the skilled professional to operate these machines is not easy. The organization also risks on the operability of the stated facilities (Shubik, 2009 p.8). The third dimension considered when dealing with science and technology is risk and uncertainty. Risk and uncertainty is the main focus of this research report. Despite the enormous merits of science and technology, the demerits also are notable. The demerits touch on the ethical, physical and social aspects of the society. For instance, on the ethical aspect it has greatly changed the behavior of members of the society. Ethical issues have been a pertinent issue in the 21st century. Before the introduction of these technologies, the society was free from such issues. ICSU strategy review argues that “The treatment of risks and uncertainties in decision-making demands more sustained intellectual analysis and policy attention” (ICSU, 2014 p.7). There is great need for the society to ensure that the pay more attention on the risks. Several policies have been formulated in the society to ensure that these risks are well managed. More so, Governance and Accountability is another dimension of change as a result of science and technology. As the current society adopts and implements the use of technology, there is need to ensure transparency in governance. There is need to ensure that all the societal concerns are not neglected. As the governance gradually adopts the use of technology, they should keep in mind the risks associated. Just as Beck explained how the US Congress responded to the nuclear treats by forming a commission. Finally, expertise on science and society is also among the dimensions of change to be considered. In the twentieth century the society was not yet enlightened on the issues pertaining science and technology. Therefore, there was no need for skilled personnel to operate on the technological advancement. Contrary to this, the twenty first century is characterized by the daily improvement and advancement in science and technology. Skilled professionals are therefore required on the various fields. All these advancements call for responses and adjustments to ensure that the society manages the risks involved. Conclusion Science and technology is one of the most notable forces of changes in the current society. Socio-economic development has been one of the core agendas for various governments. Additionally, Science and technology has been incorporated in various industries and sectors to ensure increased productivity. However, the adoption of these technological innovations has come with both enormous benefits and demerits. As Beck discussed in his video, the US Congress had to formulate a commission to work on the treats of nuclear. The current society therefore should be keen and ensure that they manage these risks efficiently. By so doing, they will be in a position to cope with ethical, physical and environmental risks associated with science and technology. References Curran, D. 2015. Risk society and Marxism: Beyond simple antagonism. Journal of Classical Sociology, 1-17. Doi: 10.1177/1468795X15600929 Beck, U. 2000. Living in and coping with world risk society - 42nd St. Gallen Symposium. Retrieved October 10, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeKiD5JLGIE Shubik, M. 2009. Risk, Society, Politicians, Scientists, and People. Risk, Organizations, and Society Studies in Risk and Uncertainty, 7-29. Beck, U. 2006. Living in the world risk society. Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.skidmore.edu/~rscarce/Soc-Th-Env/Env Theory PDFs/Beck--WorldRisk.pdf Adam, B., Beck, U., & Loon, J. 2013. The Risk Society and Beyond: Critical Issues for Social Theory. The Risk Society. Cottle, S. 1998. Ulrich Beck, `Risk Society' and the Media: A Catastrophic View? European Journal of Communication, 13(1), 5-32. Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.penelopeironstone.com/CottleBeckandMedia.pdf Jarvis, D. 2012. Ulrich Beck, Globalization and the Rise of the Risk Society: A Critical Exegetic Analysis. SSRN Electronic Journal SSRN Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://arsiv.setav.org/ups/dosya/17647.pdf Beck, U. 1992. Risk society: Towards a new modernity (Vol. 17). Sage Publications. Read More