Managing high-stakes risk : toward a new economics for survival

The threat we face from high-stakes risk has never been higher. These challenges include environmental pollution, fragile financial systems and the threat of widespread geopolitical violence. This book suggests that a return to natural risk levels -- those in accordance with naturally occurring background levels -- is both desirable and achievable. The threat we face from high-stakes risk has never been higher. These challenges include environmental pollution, fragile financial systems and the threat of widespread geopolitical violence. This book suggests that a return to natural risk levels -- those in accordance with naturally occurring background levels -- is both desirable and achievable. Economics may be defined quite simply as the study of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services for the satisfaction of human wants and needs. While the pursuit of progress forces us into more complex economic interactions, there is no reason we need to abandon human dignity -- and safety -- in the process. To assure survival, we need to recognize an economics based on a moral foundation, a 'survival ethic' if you will. Such an economic structure recognizes the interdependencies among all living things and the importance achieving a proper balance of life. This book explores the economic and social implications of the survival ethic, including the need for collective planning against the risks of social and technological progress. Only by recognizing the true harmony of natural ends can we can achieve a genuine utopia. A naturally safe world is within our grasp, if we choose to make it so Front Matter....Pages i-x The Philosophy of Survival ....Pages 1-22 Making Decisions Under Conditions of Risk....Pages 23-36 The Notion of a Naturally Risk-Free Existence....Pages 37-54 Where Are We Now?....Pages 55-69 Planning for a Safer Future....Pages 70-84 Risk Planning on a Wider Scale....Pages 85-100 Is a Safer World “Worth It”?....Pages 101-114 Achieving a Viable Utopia....Pages 115-134 Back Matter....Pages 135-162 The author explores modern high-stakes risks such as environmental pollution, fragile financial systems and the threat of widespread geopolitical violence