Risk and Recreancy: Weber, the Division of Labor, and the Rationality of Risk Perceptions

Abstract

Most analyses of risk perceptions have focused on the characteristics of individual perceivers, but given the societal changes that have occurred since the early days of the industrial revolution, there is need for greater attention to the institutions that are reasponsible for risk management. Risks of death have been dropping significantly for more than a century, but during that time, there has been a dramatic growth societal interdependance and hence of the potential for recreancy. The recreancy concept may have significant applicability in contexts involving the potentiality problematic performance of specialized responsabilities.