Risk theory, driven by societies' contemporary need for coherent responses to hazards, is a rapidly growing area of interest and research. This volume traces the development of the field's dominant conceptual frameworks by using leading theorists own accounts of how they formed their perspectives. It examines from the vantage point of social sciences the fundamental bases and theoretical foundations of risk analysis. The phenomenon of risk is considered, accordingly, in its psychological, social, and cultural connotations. The complexity of issues, the tensions among interested parties, the uncertainties, and the human response to risk are explored, for the first time in a single volume, by leading theorists in the field. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.