“Neue Unsicherheit” in an Age of Globalization

The Problem of Decision and Control in Risk Society

Abstract

　In this article, I examine how a modern society could deal with Neue Unsicherheit in an age of globalization. Under the conditions of contingency, all decision contains risk. According to Luhmann, the risk is a damage caused by one's own decision, while danger is a damage caused by decision of others. This circulation of risk and danger is expanding in the contemporary society. And Luhmann and Japp identify modern society with risk society.
　However, in my views, this definition of risk is not sufficient to explain the notion of risk society. The specificity of risk society is the limit of insurability. The contemporary risk is global, and not covered by the Welfare State because the current social security system is based on the principle of insurance.
　The ecological and economic globalization is breaking the basis of established 'insurance society'. However, in the process of globalization, the solidarity of civil society is expanding with the growth of danger.