Abstract
Based on a representative sample of the Dutch population (N=2467), we test four hypotheses about how utilitarian individualism influences the responsibilization of work-related risks (i.e. the risk of dropping out of work because of unemployment, disability, or sickness). The risk society hypothesis understands utilitarian individualism as a laissez-faire ideological orientation and assumes it to lead to individual responsibilization. The blame culture hypothesis conceives utilitarian individualists as consumer citizens and predicts the reverse - that those concerned expect to be protected by the government. The resentment hypothesis assumes that particularly utilitarian individualists with a vulnerable labor-market position individualize responsibility, because they distrust those who share their fate more than others do. The narcissism hypothesis reverses this logic, because it assumes that utilitarian individualists' narcissistic self-centeredness entices them to make others responsible for their own risks. The two hypotheses predicting an individualization of work-related risk due to utilitarian individualism are both confirmed, whereas the two hypotheses predicting it to result in their collectivization are both rejected.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1209-1224 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Journal of Risk Research |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- culture of blame
- utilitarian individualism
- work-related risks
- CULTURE
- SOCIETY
- INSECURITY
- SAFETY
- HEALTH