In recent years, Sweden has introduced new laws and undergone changes indicating a shift towards a society heavily focused on controlling and minimizing risks, such as those related to serious crimes. This trend mirrors Ulrich Beck's theoretical concept of the Risk Society. The aim of risk minimization is to ensure collective security, but this often comes at the expense of individual rights, as seen in recent Swedish legislation. This thesis explores the conflict between collective security and individual freedom in a Risk Society. The objective is to highlight the issues of potentially evolving into such a society. The study examines Beck’s Risk Society theory through John Stuart Mill's political philosophy on rights. Mill, a utilitarian and liberal, argues that individuals have certain rights and obligations towards society and that the only legitimate reason to restrict individual rights is to prevent harm to others. The thesis concludes that the Risk Society is characterized by paradoxical structures that create a reflexive loop, wherein subjective perceptions of risks are reinforced, leading to increased anxiety and political pressure to minimize these risks. Proposed solutions include raising awareness about our misunderstandings and exaggerations of risks and fostering a more open debate climate where ideas and opinions can be freely exchanged.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-529621 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Haaland, Nora |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Teologiska institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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