Books in the Earthscan Risk in Society series

The concept of risk is an outgrowth of our society's concern about coping with the dangers of life. This title examines the gap between expert views of risk and public perceptions. It allows the reader to see the evolution of our understanding of such perceptions.

Presents a fundamental critique of the approaches to understanding and managing risk - the 'rational actor paradigm'. This title shows how risk studies must incorporate the competing interests, values, and rationalities of those involved and find a balance of trust and acceptable risk.

The benefits of modern technology often involve health, safety and environmental risks that produce public suspicion of technologies and aversion to certain products and substances. This title presents an examination of how and why stigma occurs and what the appropriate responses to it should be to inform the public and reduce undesirable impacts.

Provides guidance on how to manage risks based on a definitive synthesis of the research literature. This title offers a survey of the whole field of risk and demonstrates how scientific, economic, political and civil society actors can participate in inclusive risk governance.

From Hurricane Katrina and the south Asian tsunami to human-induced atrocities, terrorist attacks and the looming effects of climate change, the world is assailed by both natural and unnatural hazards and disasters. These expose not only human vulnerability, but also the profound worldwide environmental injustices. This work assesses these themes.

Uncertainty governs our lives. This title draws theoretical perspectives from art history, complexity science, economics, futures, history, law, philosophy, physics, psychology, statistics and theology. It examines uncertainty in emergency management, intelligence, law enforcement, music, policy and politics.