Beschreibung
Through a range of varied articles this book explores the changing nature
of risk in contemporary African societies. It provides a valuable addition
to current debate on the concept of risk which has traditionally been
skewed in favour of European historical experience. The articles
illustrate that technological hazards, pollution and climate change as
well as the introduction of new forms of insurance and the restructuring
of civil society are just some of the recent developments that invite us
to be sceptical of prevailing notions of risk in the African context. The
reader is encouraged to move away from focusing on the vulnerability of
Africa as a pre-modern society to consider more localised and contemporary
perspectives of risk. In exploring new ways of conceptualising risk in
Africa the book addresses the challenge of making theoretical and
methodological advances in risk research relevant to understanding the
processes of social change on the continent.
