مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - ULRICH BECK: GLOBAL RISK AND COSMOPOLITAN POLITICS

Abstract :

This study aimss pecifically to explicate Ulrich Beck’s cosmopolitan perspectivein the context of his ‘risk society’ theory. The concept of risk is a modern concept. The ‘risk’ according to Beck differs from the catastrophe. The catastrophe is the moment of destruction. Risk means the anticipation of catastrophe and impliesthe message that it is high time for us toact.The anticipated state of hazard is nolongernational but cosmopolitan.National states are nolonger the primary units for solving national problems. Who are the enemies of cosmopolitan societies? Beck discusses three problems: nationalism, globalism and democratic authoritarianism.Global risk is paradoxically also a moment of hope, of unbelievable opportunities – a cosmopolitan moment. Cosmopolitanism in risk society opens our eyes to something that happens to us, but at thesame time stimulates us to make new beginnings.