Risk and the environment

pp. 182-202

in: Michael King, Chris Thornhill, Niklas Luhmann's theory of politics and law, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2003

Abstract

In this chapter we turn to Luhmann's writings on risk and environmental issues set out in his books Ökologische Kommunikation: Kann die moderne Gesellshaft sich auf ökologische Gefährdungen einstellen (1986)¹ and Soziologie des Risikos (1991).² Our reasons for devoting a chapter to these two books are twofold. In the first place, they offer an opportunity for readers with some knowledge of Luhmann's theoretical ideas concerning politics and law to see how these may be applied to the actual operations of the legal and political systems in the context of today's functionally differentiated society. Secondly, and more generally, in these two books Luhmann holds a mirror to two of the most important preoccupations of modern society. Of course, Luhmann would never have claimed that the image reflected represented absolute truth or accuracy, since no one way of making sense of the world could ever capture the complexity of all possible communications. Nevertheless, in these two books he does invite society to see itself in terms which do not depend upon the flattering and distorting images to be found in the paradoxical self-generated descriptions of its function systems. Equally, Luhmann's analysis does not rely upon claims made by these systems for their own rationally based achievements or their ability to control the future through reasoned decision-making.