Ecological Politics in an Age of Risk

Translator's Note.

Preface.

Introduction: The Immortality of Industrial Society and the
Contents of the Book.

Part I: Dead Ends.

1. Barbarism Modernised: The Eugenic Age.

2. The Naturalistic Misunderstanding of the Ecological Movement:
Environmental Critique as Social Critique.

3. Industrial Fatalism: Organised Irresponsibility.

Part II: Antidotes.

4. The Self-Refutation of Bureaucracy: The Victory of
Industralism over Itself.

5. Implementation as Abolition of Technocracy: The Logic of
Relativistic Science.

6. The "Poisoned Cake": Capital and Labour in Risk Society.

7. Conflicts over Progress: The Technocratic Challenge to
Democracy.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.

"This is an extremely complex debate written by a leading German
sociologist. The issues are thought-provoking...those who take
their debate on the theory of society should find this book
fascinating." (TEG News)

"Wide-ranging...it is likely to appeal to social scientists with
a broad range of specialisms, and is novel in the connections it
makes between seemingly disparate issues.... Beck's prose can be
almost poetic in places, his passion about his subject is inspiring
and his work indicates many directions for future research.
Ecological Politics in an Age of Risk is a challenging and
enjoyable book which deserves to be read widely." (British
Journal of Sociology)

"An interesting book offering a stimulating argument."
(Political Studies)

"A "must-read" for those interested in national or international
environmental isues, specifically hazardous waste management."
(Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management)

"Stimulating and provocative." (Environmental Values)

Ulrich Beck is Professor of Sociology at the University of Munich.

U. Beck, Ludwig-Maximillian University of Munich