Prophet of a new modernity: Ulrich Beck’s legacy for sociology

Abstract

Ulrich Beck was one of the most influential sociologists of recent decades. Concepts he developed -including risk society, individualization, cosmopolitanization, subpolitics and the democratization of science -are among the most cited, used and contested in contemporary sociology. In the wake of Beck's recent death, this review article revisits his key contributions and legacy. He proposed that a momentous shift to a new modernity has begun and challenged sociologists as to whether the concepts they use are up to the task of tracing this emerging dynamic. Provocatively, Beck asked whether concepts like the nation-state, family and class are functioning as 'zombie categories', continuing on in sociology but no longer relevant to social experience. We argue that Beck was not denying the significance of such social factors, but setting a challenge to the discipline to show how the key concepts of sociology can be reimagined in the face of social change.

Venturing Into Discourse– Another Look At The Issue Of Youth At Risk

“…Furthermore, it may be suggested that there is also a need to take a step back and regard the issue of youth at risk as part of a larger narrative .Today, youth as a category, and not only certain groups of youth are exposed to fast pace global changes, including rapidly changing technology which has great influence on the labor market and tomorrow's professions, as well as on personal relationships. Woodman, Threadgold and Possamai -Inesedy (2015) point to the withering of traditional certainties, growing individualization and the difficulty of making the 'right' decisions in this situation. In light of these changes educational goals set for youth at risk and youth in general need to be reexamined.…”

Back to my old self and life restarting: Biographies of ageing in Beck’s risk society

“…Beck’s work accommodates the duality, yet interconnectedness, of agency and structure (constructivism/realism), an apparent contradiction which Beck tries to address in his later writings (Beck, 2009; Beck and Lau, 2005; Woodman, 2009; Woodman et al, 2015; Zinn, 2008). This complex interplay of risk, choice, agency and structure (Woodman, 2009; Zinn, 2008) is an important consideration in the lives of people as they age.…”

“…This produces contradiction, ambiguity and non-linear change, with potential intensification of risk (Beck, 1992; Beck and Beck-Gernsheim, 2002). Reflexivity also brings increasing awareness of unforeseen consequences that modernisation and individualisation processes have wrought at individual and global levels (Beck and Lau, 2005; Woodman et al, 2015). For example, older women are more likely to be single and living alone, not only due to outliving their husbands, but also due to legislative reforms enabling divorce, and a move away from multigenerational families.…”

The concept of risk society as a model for risk regulation – its hidden and not so hidden ambitions, side effects, and risks

“…Chiefly as a result of his extensive work on the risk society, Beck is celebrated as 'the greatest sociologist of his generation' (Giddens 2015), 'one of Europe's most inspirational sociologists' (LSE 2015), and 'one of the most influential sociologists of recent decades' (Woodman et al 2015). He received a lifetime achievement award from the International Sociological Association for most distinguished contributions to future research (Smale 2015).…”