ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some of the theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain the question of risk within modernity based on the work of sociologists, anthropologists, economists and advocates of complexity theory. It shows how the question of risk is perhaps more problematic than is supposed by realist international relations (IR) theory, liberal economists and positivists in general. The chapter highlights some of the theoretical positions that are taken on complexity, risk and uncertainty. It presents three case studies, attempts to elaborate on the more problematic aspects of risk and show how risk is used as a form of disciplinary and controlling power. The chapter explores the notion of governance and risk in general as opposed to the particular instances represented by statistical thinking and insuring. It argues that modes of governance centred around rationalist calculation and risk have become over a lengthy time-period one of the main modes of contemporary governance.
