A critical theoretic look at technical risk analysis

Abstract

Technical risk analysis accomplishes the activities of risk identification, risk assessment and risk management by the use of scientific rationality. As an ac tivity of the political state, it also plays a role in managing the state's legitimacy problems. Critical theory can locate these two aspects of technical risk analysis in the context of a social theory as well as provide normative guidance for cor recting the deficiencies inherently associated with them. In particular, Haber mas's concepts of communicative rationality and the ideal speech situation have immediate ramifications of risk communication.