Understanding The Risk Society

In this penetrating account of the impacts of risk on everyday life, Gabe Mythen provides a theoretically informed overview of the regulation of crime and security in a globalized world. By explicating the relationships between risk and crime, security and justice, the text applies risk to specific incidents and events, scrutinizing social processes and cultural practices, and illumining some of the central social and political issues of the modern age.

Extending across a range of domains - including law, the environment, media and politics - Mythen embarks on a conceptual and critical exploration of risk theory. In doing so, his incisive text presents both a critical evaluation of the efficacy of competing perspectives on risk, and an authoritative appraisal of the place of risk within the social sciences.

Review: An original contribution to theoretical research on the study of risk and society. I know of no volume that weaves together various theoretical strands in the study of risk so thoughtfully and accessibly - while simultaneously launching an insightful and complex critique of existing frameworks. - Michelle Brown, Associate Professor, The University of Tennessee, United States This book will make an excellent core text for students of criminology drilling down further into questions and theories of risk. - Murray Lee, Associate Professor, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney, Australia