What is Risk Society ?

Why in News ?  Recently an article, published in The Hindu discusses the concept of a risk society, introduced by sociologist Ulrich Beck, which describes the transition from an industrial society to one shaped by uncertainty and hazards arising from technological and environmental developments.

Relevance:

Mains : GS Paper I/( Social Issue)/II (Governance, Social Justice) and GS Paper III (Environment, Disaster Management).

Key Points of the Article:

Understanding the Risk Society:

• Definition: A risk society is characterized by the shift from managing wealth to managing risks (e.g., health crises, pollution, environmental degradation).
• Historical Context: Events like the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the Fukushima accident, and the COVID-19 pandemic exemplify risks created by modernisation.
• Reflexive Modernisation: Modern societies must constantly adapt to problems caused by their own advancements, such as nuclear energy and fossil fuel usage.

Stages of Modernity:

• Pre-Industrial Society: Risks were natural (e.g., famines, epidemics) and managed through traditional systems.
• Industrial Society: Risks arose from large-scale production, urbanisation, and technological advancements, including pollution and resource depletion.
• Risk Society: Risks now stem from the systems designed for development, with global consequences like climate hazards and pandemics.

Types of Risks:

• Natural Risks: Localised and unpredictable (e.g., earthquakes, floods).
• Manufactured Risks: Resulting from human activities (e.g., nuclear accidents, climate change). These are often global, harder to predict, and more challenging to control.

Gendered Dimension of Risks:

• Women bear a disproportionate burden in a risk society due to societal roles, economic inequality, and health vulnerabilities:

Unpaid Labour: Women, especially in developing countries, are primary caregivers and manage households, placing them on the frontline of risk mitigation.

Environmental Hazards: Women face health risks from polluted water, air, and fuel use. For example:

• Collecting water exposes women to contaminated sources.
• Cooking with solid fuels increases respiratory illnesses.

Food Scarcity and Malnutrition: Gender norms often result in women eating last or less, leading to higher rates of anaemia and health issues.

Economic Disadvantage: Women have limited access to financial resources, land, and property, reducing their ability to recover from disasters. They are also undervalued for caregiving roles.

Call for Reflection and Action:

• Need for Adaptation: Modern societies must reflect on the risks they create and adapt policies to address their consequences.
• Focus on Women: The article highlights the importance of addressing gender inequalities to ensure women are not disproportionately burdened by risks.

Conclusion:

The article underscores how a risk society magnifies inequalities, particularly for women, and calls for a gender-sensitive approach to managing risks. Women’s critical roles in mitigating and managing these risks must be acknowledged and supported through policies that address both environmental and social inequalities.