Evolving Chinese Approaches to the Management of Technological Risks

在过去的二十年里，文化对风险关注的研究有了很大的发展。非西方国家对风险的认知和反应是一个工作有限的领域。本文对中国技术风险管理的研究旨在通过考察现代中国不同的文化形态如何与国际环境的强大影响相互作用，从而扩大对风险社会建构的跨文化理解。通过在美国和中国的档案研究和访谈，该项目将对中国在防洪、核电、危险化学品和航空公司运营方面的风险管理策略进行案例研究。除了在比较风险分析文献中增加一个重要的非西方例子外，该项目还应有助于了解来自国外的主要影响，包括技术转让、国际教育经验、国际组织的成员资格、外交政策模式的研究和模仿以及受到外国风险争议的影响；影响一个国家的“风险转换”。提高对风险识别、评估和管理方式的认识，也将有助于深入了解中国解决复杂环境问题的方法，从而为与中国在环境事务上的长期国际合作奠定更坚实的基础。

The study of cultural attention to risk has developed greatly over the past two decades. One area where there has been only limited work is that of non-western perceptions of and responses to risk. This study of the management of technological risks in China seeks to expand cross-cultural understanding of the social construction of risk by examining how different cultural formations in modern China have interacted with powerful influences from the international environment in devising responses to risks. Through archival research and interviews, both in the United States and in China, the project will develop case studies of Chinese risk management strategies for flood control, nuclear power, hazardous chemicals and airline operations. In addition to adding an important non-western example to the comparative risk analysis literature, the project should contribute to understanding how major influences from abroad, including technology transfers, international educational experiences, membership in international organizations, study and emulation of foreign policy models, and exposure to foreign risk controversies, affect a nation's "risk transitions." Sharpening an appreciation of how risks are identified, assessed, and managed will also provide additional insights into Chinese approaches to its complex environmental problems and, thus, how to build a stronger base for what is likely to be a long-term international engagement with China on environmental affairs.