World Risk Society (WRS) is an interesting and imaginitive look at Modern Society. Beck's humour ensures that the heavilly theoretical subject matter does not become to much like hard work.

(Spoiler warning)
WRS takes the form of three interelated thesis. The first is a critique of instrumental reason in modern society. Beck claims the priviledging of scientific knowledge is detrimental as it prevents debate.

The second thesis (an expression of this scientism) is the 'Risk Society'. Here industrial socities axial pricipal, the distribution of benefits, is replaced by the distribution of dangers. These dangers are the unintended consequences of industrial society such as nuclear accidents, bio-hazards, BSE etc. These dangers are, in modern society, of such magnitude that they endanger the whole of humanity and future generations.

This contention forms the basis of Beck's third thesis. That these dangers constitute drivers of a new stage of society: Reflexive Modernity beacsue they call Modernity into question. This Refelxive Modernity is essentially Beck's vision for how society will amalgamate the problems of industrial (risk) society through the individualisation of society.

WRS represents a cogent attempt to understand the effect of technology and science on human society. On the downside Beck's substantsiation of his thesis is somewhat undermined by his etemological mistrust of empiricism. The influence on Beck of Critical Theory is clear in this and his dislike of technology and positivism more generally.

Those who enjoy Beck or are considering reading WRS might also consider Anthony Giddens useful. Remarkably he developed the concept of Reflexive Modernity congruently and arguably offers an easier entry into this subject; if with less depth and style. ( )