Managing Risk during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Global Policies, Narratives and Practices

The book provides an accessible guide to the key elements of risk in policy making,including its role in rhetoric to legitimise decisions and choices, and examines how policy makers in a range of countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting why some were more successful than others.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

The past three decades have witnessed a significant expansion of the field of risk, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a recent focal point that has brought it to the forefront of public attention. However, there remains a limited comprehension of the appropriate utilization of risk in policymaking. This book aims to offer a user-friendly introduction to the fundamental aspects of risk in policymaking, encompassing its role in shaping rhetoric to justify decisions and choices. By employing a risk framework, the book explores how policymakers from various countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the factors that contributed to their varying degrees of success.

Risk has emerged as a crucial domain of study in recent years, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought it to the forefront of public consciousness. While there is a growing recognition of the importance of risk in policymaking, there remains a limited understanding of how risk can and should be effectively employed in decision-making processes. This book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the key elements of risk in policymaking, including its role in shaping rhetoric and legitimizing decisions.

In the realm of policymaking, risk plays a pivotal choices and decisions. It serves as a framework for analyzing and evaluating potential outcomes and their associated uncertainties. By understanding the nature and implications of risk, policymakers can make informed decisions that balance the potential benefits and costs of different options.

One of the primary functions of risk in policymaking is to justify decisions and choices. Risk can be used to provide a rationale for actions that may be controversial or unpopular, by presenting them as necessary to mitigate potential harms or risks. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers have used risk to justify measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing, which were designed to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect public health.

Risk can also be used to shape rhetoric and frame policy debates. By presenting certain risks as more significant or urgent than others, policymakers can influence public opinion and gain support for their policies. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some policymakers have framed the risk of the virus as existential, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect public health and the economy.

However, the use of risk in policymaking is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is the potential for risk to be oversimplified or misrepresented. This can lead to misunderstandings and misperceptions of the risks involved, which can in turn lead to ineffective policies or decisions. Additionally, risk can be used to justify decisions that are not in the best interests of society or the environment.

To address these challenges, policymakers need to approach risk with a critical eye and a commitment to transparency and accountability. They should be willing to engage with stakeholders and consider a range of perspectives and risks when making decisions. Additionally, policymakers should be transparent about the risks involved in their policies and the decisions they have made based on those risks.

In conclusion, the past three decades have witnessed a significant expansion of the field of risk, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a recent focal point that has brought it to the forefront. While there is a growing recognition of the importance of risk in policymaking, there remains a limited understanding of how risk can and should be effectively employed in decision-making processes. This book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the key elements of risk in policymaking, including its role in shaping rhetoric and legitimizing decisions. By understanding the nature, implications, and challenges of risk, policymakers can make informed decisions that balance the potential benefits and costs of different options, and contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable policies.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447365242