Cultural Theory and Risk: A Review

Abstract

Cultural theory has evolved over the past 20 years to become an important framework for understanding how groups in society interpret danger and build trust or distrust in institutions creating and regulating risk. This paper examines the theoretical roots of cultural theory, traces its passage in the risk literature, and explores its value in current risk management issues. It concludes that cultural theory continues to be of value, but that its role needs to be reassessed in the emerging age of deliberative science. Some examples of how cultural theory might be applied to health risk management and to the genetic modification of food debate are provided to illustrate the scope for further research.