 Dear students, in this module, we are going to discuss Ulrich Beck, a postmodern theorist. Ulrich Beck is widely known for his work on risk society, a postmodern theory highlighting the globalized words shift from distributing goods to distributing risks. This theory underscores the global redistribution of social risks like climate change, nuclear disasters and other technological hazards. According to Beck, in pre-modern societies, individuals have distinct roles and values based on their social status and traditional norms. While in the modern societies, level these social classes and promote it individualism. Yet the pre-modern, yet the postmodern risk society reintroduces the social disparity not based on the wealth but the ability to avoid these risks. Ulrich Beck thinks that the risks produced in modern societies for our lives try to deal with these risks. These risks are seen as the most inequality produced in postmodern societies. For example, when we talk about COVID-19, it is clear that this was a threat, a risk that was affecting the whole world, for the people of the world, it was a danger or a risky situation. However, the ability to cope, tackle or manage these risks was felt by the people who had more facilities and the people who were on a relatively marginalized and unequal position were the most affected by these risks. Ulrich Beck's idea is that postmodern societies are producing inequality in risk management. In Pakistan, for instance, one can observe the theory in action concerning the water scarcity. With increased urbanization and industrialization, water sources are depleting and pollution is increasing. Those with the financial means can avoid these risks through water filtration systems or bottled water reflecting the uneven distribution of these risks. In Pakistan, when we talk about water scarcity, water availability, we also see potential inequality and inherent inequality. Those who can afford it can drink bottled water or filter water, but unfortunately, this risk produced by modernization and industrialization has to be paid to those who are marginalized and who are on an unequal position and who cannot afford it. So, Beck's concept of reflexive modernization is another critical aspect of his theory. He argues that the modern society is becoming increasingly self-aware and reflective leading to the changes in the traditional social norms. An example of reflexive modernization can be seen in Japan's response to Fukushima nuclear disaster. So, the catastrophe led to a societal shift away from the nuclear energy reflecting the Beck's notion of societies changing in response to these perceived risks. So, Oldish Beck's work on individualization argues that traditional societal roles are diminishing and individuals now have created their life biographies and identities. This reflects a global trend towards personal responsibility and away from the institutionalized identities. So, more and more shift is becoming towards the individualization or individual responsibilities as compared to those of institutionalized identities. For instance, an increase in number of people in developing countries like India are breaking away from traditional roles to pursue their careers and lifestyles that align more with the personal values and ambitions and a practice representing the Beck's theory of individualization. This postmodern theory is significant for sociological understanding as it addresses the complications of our modern risk-filled world highlighting the intertwined nature of global problems and their effects on individual lives and societies.