Decision-Making Process: Risk and Uncertainty

1. Introduction

In this simulation reflection paper, I will explain how the concepts of risk and uncertainty associated with the decision making process in the case of Rotterdam Harbor where there is a complex social, environmental and economic marine environmental quality problem. Such complexity of the nature-society interactions at its inception requires interdisciplinary approach. Thus, both the natural sciences (-part) disciplines and socioeconomic realties (social science, -part) are important to fully understand and solve the problems in the Rotterdam Harbor. In addition in this type of circumstances where the situation is in urgent need of a solution to the problem, decision making is not straightforward and rational. Hence, it needs the involvement of network of different independent actors or pluricentric form governance, where the actors may engage through conflict or cooperation, struggle, power play or dialogue or a combination of all these.

In this simulation, I really better understand the major theoretical concepts introduced in the lectures and reading materials like risk society, reflexive democracy, uncertainty (both substantive and strategic), policy networks etc. Moreover, I have been experienced how decision making is a very difficult task in complex nature society interaction. Therefore, the next consecutive part of this reflection papers tries to explain in detail about the different phases of the simulation and try to link the basic concepts that I have found important; particular incident or interaction that I have learned something significant. The last but not least, how the experience obtained from the simulation reflects the reality.

Phase 1

The first phase of the simulation is chaired by the ...

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FISCHER, F. 2000. Citizens, experts, and the environment: The politics of local knowledge, Duke University Press.

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