Introduction

The Risk of Freedom Briefing aims to promote awareness of the ways in which social and economic freedoms are secured, and to discuss the rightful place of both risk and regulation in a free society. Articles are solicited from opposing sides of relevant debates, with a view to promoting a deeper understanding of the questions, rather than a particular viewpoint or policy towards them.

The Briefing has been published quarterly since October 1999, taking a particular theme with each issue. Many issues reflect debates held during a series of seminars and forums. It is edited by Roger Scruton, and sponsored by JT International.

Issue 32 - Theory of Risk

Inside:

Reason and risk - editorial
Risk is built into basic practical reasoning . . .

Risk and rationality - John Lucas
In contrast to the theory of probability, where the expectation is simply the loss multiplied by the probability, the seriousness of a risk weighs much more heavily than the improbability of its occurring . . .

Governing Risk - Patrick Basham
Risk management policy clearly requires a fundamental re-evaluation . . .

The risk thermostat presented by Gerald J.S. Wilde - editorial summary
the reduction of risk from one source leaves the agent free to cultivate risk from another

Government perspective on the management of risk - Abstract from report
More attention should be paid in the formulation of policy to the trade-off between personal liberty and public regulation.

Criminal calculation - Theodore Dalrymple
The real question in Britain, is not why so many people burgle, as why so many people do not burgle?