Risk and Targeted Government

Abstract

As with the previous chapter, this chapter investigates the contribution of e-government to the way social issues are perceived, the governmental rationalities in which public policies are framed, and the very substance and form of public policy. The previous chapter demonstrates how networked e-government has helped to install the ‘new conditionally’ in policy and as a political rationality. In a similar way, this chapter examines the contribution of e-government to the growth of ‘risk’ governmentality and, in particular, the practice of targeting. ‘Risk’ is everywhere in contemporary society both as a discourse, but also in the ubiquity of perceived dangers. In normal everyday activities, governance through risk is commonplace. We are told to eliminate ‘risky lifestyle practices’ such as smoking and obesity. We are to be advised of the levels of risk of different investments — shares, property and cash. Asylum seekers are locked up because they ‘risk’ our social values and cohesion. Walking down dark alleys and bungy-jumping are regarded as ‘risky’ behaviours.