Anna Mantarova
Papers of BAS. Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol. 11, 2024, No. 1
Man in the risk society: Perceptions, evaluations, reactions
Anna Mantarova
Abstract. The aim of the proposed work is to explore the perceptions, assessments and reactions of social actors to various risks, as well as the strategies they employ to manage them. The information presented and analysed is collected by several empirical surveys: a nationally representative survey of the adult population, a survey of small business owners, and a survey of social science students in four cities.
The article focuses on several risks of great importance to individuals and society, including disease, poverty, unemployment, and crime. Research shows that the prevailing view in society is that the state should have the primary concern for protecting people from a wide range of risks. However, there are widespread assessments that the state is far from fulfilling its commitments.
At the same time, what the individual does in many cases cannot be defined as active and adequate behaviour. Passive behaviour also prevails in small businesses. Attitudes and the actual implementation of promising actions from the point of view of the future, are poorly spread.
Keywords: risk, disease, poverty, coping strategies, state activity