SOC101Y1 Chapter Notes -Polluter Pays Principle, Risk Society, Normal Accidents
Document Summary
Normal accidents: mishaps that occur because the very complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, though in unpredictable ways. Tipping point: threshold beyond which a system unexpectedly, rapidly and dramatically changes. The tragedy of the commons: people try to maximize their economic gain by exploiting the commons. The private company enjoys free ride because it profits from increased production but does not have to pay the costs associated with pollution. Externality: environmental impact that is produced by one party (industry) that does not take responsibility for the consequences and are addressed by another party , such as the state. Economic contingency: public environmental concern depends on the state of economy. In good economic times, more attention will be given to environmental issues. Giddens: environmental issues are back of the mind because many environmental dangers are not tangible, immediate or visible in the present. Future discounting: psychological tendency to forgo future benefits in favour of immediate benefits.
