STS 214 Quiz 3

According to Shapiro and Glicksman, there has been a significant reduction in risk posed by modern technology since the 1960's. They argue that advancements in technology have led to noticeable and sometimes dramatic decreases in potential risks. This suggests that over time, improvements in technology have resulted in safer and more reliable systems, thereby reducing the level of risk associated with them.

The correct answer suggests that the critics of risk regulation believe that the "irrational preferences" of the public can be addressed by filtering their demands through decision-making tools that add rationality to the process. This implies that the critics do not advocate for the elimination of public input or the abandonment of all regulations, but rather propose a method to incorporate rationality into the decision-making process. This approach aims to balance the public's demands with the need for effective risk regulation.

The correct answer suggests that bureaucratic discretion should be preserved, but regulators should also be held accountable for their actions. This means that regulators should have the freedom to make decisions within their discretion, but there should also be mechanisms in place to ensure that they are responsible for their choices and actions. This approach strikes a balance between allowing regulators to exercise their expertise and judgment, while also ensuring transparency and accountability in their decision-making process.

The correct answer is that costs of regulation be taken into account by agencies. This means that when regulating risks, agencies are required to consider the costs associated with implementing and enforcing regulations. This ensures that the benefits of the regulation outweigh the costs, and allows for a more balanced approach to risk regulation.

Shapiro & Glicksman explain that Congress imposes statutory triggers in risk regulation, and these triggers can be of various kinds. The answer "risk and efficiency thresholds" is not one of those kinds. Therefore, this answer does not fall under the types of statutory triggers that Congress imposes according to Shapiro & Glicksman.

The correct answer is "secured a number of administrative procedures that implement their rationality project." This means that the critics of risk regulation have successfully obtained certain administrative procedures that align with their rationality project.

The correct answer is "must be taken seriously by pragmatists." This means that pragmatists should consider and address the complaint raised by critics of risk regulation, which is that the costs of risk policy outweigh the benefits. It suggests that pragmatists should not ignore or dismiss this concern, but rather give it serious consideration and potentially make adjustments to the risk regulation policies.

In risk regulation legislation, Congress has two choices to make. The first choice is to determine the conditions or events that will trigger the application of the regulation, known as statutory triggers. The second choice is to establish the criteria or guidelines that will be used to assess and regulate the identified risks, known as statutory standards. By implementing both statutory triggers and statutory standards, Congress can effectively address and manage risks through legislation.

The concept of "bounded rationality" means that decision making is limited by time, resources, and cognitive abilities. This suggests that decision makers do not have unlimited time, resources, or cognitive abilities to make decisions. Instead, they have to work within these limitations and make the best decisions possible given the constraints they face. This concept acknowledges that decision making is not always rational or optimal, but rather constrained by practical limitations.

The correct answer suggests that pragmatists accept that a degree of "muddling through" is inevitable in risk policy. This means that in the complex and uncertain field of risk management, it is not always possible or practical to make comprehensive and perfect decisions. Pragmatists understand that there will be challenges and uncertainties, and they are willing to accept a certain level of ambiguity and adaptability in their approach to risk policy. They recognize that incremental decision-making, rather than seeking a perfect solution, is often necessary in navigating the complexities of risk management.

The correct answer is the promotion of public participation in risk decisions. According to Shapiro and Glicksman, a pragmatic approach to risk management supports the involvement of the public in decision-making processes related to risks. This is because public participation allows for a wider range of perspectives and inputs, which can lead to more informed and effective risk management strategies. By including the public, decision-makers can also enhance transparency, accountability, and legitimacy in the risk regulation process.

The correct answer is "generally avoided product or substance phaseouts." This is based on the statement made by Shapiro and Glicksman in their book "Risk Regulation at Risk," where they state that Congress has generally avoided implementing phaseouts for products or substances.

Pragmatic risk regulations take costs into account, but not in the manner prescribed by economic theory. This means that while economic theory may suggest a specific method or formula for considering costs, pragmatic risk regulations may deviate from this approach and consider costs in a different way. This could be due to various factors such as the specific context of the regulation, the unique circumstances of the risk being regulated, or other practical considerations that may not align with the theoretical approach.

The given correct answer is "impossible". This implies that according to Shapiro and Glicksman, achieving "comprehensive rationality" in pragmatic risk policy is not possible. It suggests that despite the advancements in modern computers, it is still not feasible to attain a complete and thorough rationality in dealing with risk regulation.

Congress tends to prefer open ended and constrained balancing standards in risk regulation. Open ended standards allow for flexibility and adaptability in addressing risks, as they do not provide specific requirements or limits. This allows Congress to respond to changing circumstances and emerging risks. Constrained balancing standards involve weighing the costs and benefits of regulations, ensuring that the benefits justify the costs. This approach allows Congress to consider the economic impact of regulations while still prioritizing public safety and risk reduction.