Extraordinary Risks, Ordinary Lives: Logics of Precariousness in Everyday Contexts

This book explores the relationship between expert risk classifications and the experiences of ordinary people, calling for more targeted ethnographic research to understand how grassroots risk dispositions and practices intersect with official discourses, individual agency, and community resilience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between expert classifications of risk and the real-life experiences of ordinary individuals who often face significant danger in diverse and extraordinary contexts. It explores the political, ethical, and moral dimensions of risk, urging for more focused ethnographic research aimed at unveiling how grassroots risk dispositions and practices intersect with official discourses, individual agency, and community resilience.

The book begins by examining the ways in which expert categorizations of risk can oversimplify and flatten the complex realities of danger. It highlights the limitations of top-down approaches, which often fail to account for the nuances and contextual variations that shape individuals' perceptions and responses to risk. By contrast, the book emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of ordinary people who have firsthand experiences with risk.

Through a series of engaging case studies, the book showcases the diverse ways in which ordinary individuals navigate and cope with risk. It explores the ways in which they draw on their own knowledge, experiences, and cultural resources to make sense of danger and develop strategies for managing it. The book also examines the ways in which official discourses, policies, and practices shape individuals' risk perceptions and responses. It highlights the power of these discourses to either reinforce or challenge grassroots risk dispositions and practices.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of ordinary people in the face of risk. It argues that these individuals often have valuable insights and expertise that can be overlooked by traditional risk management approaches. The book calls for more targeted ethnographic research designed to reveal how grass-roots risk dispositions and practices intersect with official discourses, individual agency, and community resilience.

The book also raises important ethical and moral questions about the responsibility of experts, policymakers, and communities in managing risk. It explores the ways in which power, privilege, and inequality can shape individuals' access to resources and opportunities for managing risk. It calls for a more equitable and inclusive approach to risk management that recognizes the diverse needs and perspectives of different communities.

In conclusion, this book offers a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the relationship between expert categorizations of risk and the on-the-ground experiences of ordinary people. It provides a valuable contribution to the field of risk management by challenging traditional approaches and advocating for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of risk. By listening to the voices of ordinary people and recognizing their contributions, we can develop more effective and sustainable strategies for managing risk in our communities and beyond.

Weight: 591g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030839611
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022