300110 Risk and Political Decision-Making (S) (WiSe 2016/2017)

Risk is widely regarded as one of the major challenges for contemporary political decision-making. Societies are shaken by the risk of diseases such as cancer, malaria, or Ebola; by health risks stemming from contaminated food and other consumer products; by environmental pollution, the side effects of pesticide use, and climate change; by financial crises; by large-scale accidents such as nuclear accidents or train crashes; and, more recently, by deadly terrorist attacks and by the undesired side effects of refugee movements. In addition to these societal risks, citizens are often dissatisfied with seemingly hasty and poorly designed policies to address risk. Yet, given the wide scope, interconnectedness and complexity of risks in a globalised world, how can governments develop ‘sound’ political decisions on risks in the first place?

This course addresses this question from the lens of political theory, more precisely: theories of public decision-making. We will consider and discuss a range of different approaches to risk decision-making in the public sphere including (1) rational (public) choice, (2) cultural theory, (3) deliberation theory, (4) systems theoretical reflexivity theories, and (5) critical discourse analysis. We will apply our theoretical knowledge to specific cases of risk regulation, for instance analysing the much contested regulation of the pesticide Glyphosate in the European Union and the regulation of the Schengen Area’s border security.

By then end of the course, students will have a sound knowledge of decision theories in risk regulation and be able to apply these theories to empirical cases of risk regulation.

Requirements for participation, required level

No substantial prior knowledge is required, even if some basic understanding of political theories (e.g., deliberation theory by Habermas and systems theory by Luhmann) is a benefit.

Good written and oral English is a must.

Bibliography

Key readings will be handed out as part of the unit handbook during our first session on 24 October 2016.