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Regulating By the Numbers

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth Nichols

    (University of California, Berkeley)

  • Aaron Wildavsky

    (University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

Probabilistic risk assessment has been promoted within the Nuclear Regulatory Com mission as both a means of judging the extent of risk to the public and a direct means of determining what specific regulations should be strengthened, better enforced, or possibly abandoned. These uses have met with skepticism not only from public interest groups but from lower level bureaucrats. Interviews with engineers and other technically trained personnel reveal the difficulties created by expectations that probabilistic risk assessment can be applied to everyday regulatory decision making. While most think PRA is technically useful, they express concern that it may be used in ways they see as inappropriate.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Nichols & Aaron Wildavsky, 1988. "Regulating By the Numbers," Evaluation Review, , vol. 12(5), pages 528-546, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:12:y:1988:i:5:p:528-546
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X8801200504
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. William R. Freudenburg & Rodney K. Baxter, 1985. "Nuclear Reactions: Public Attitudes and Policies Toward Nuclear Power," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 5(1), pages 96-110, August.
    2. Rothman, Stanley & Lichter, S. Robert, 1987. "Elite Ideology and Risk Perception in Nuclear Energy Policy," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(2), pages 383-404, June.
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