We have seen the good effects of Western modernization with the rise of technological advances and strong economic growth because of capitalism. But we do not notice behind this modernization is the possibility of a self-destruction of the industrial society which Beck terms as reflexive modernization. Beck characterizes our modern society as the risk society wherein certain features of the industrial society becomes problematic. Unlike our notion of the industrial society which is based on certainty, contemporary society revolves around uncertainty. The threats, individual risks and danger are continuously increasing that they affect not only in a particular time and space. In this risk society, it is no longer the distribution of "goods" but the distribution of "bads" where everyone gets affected. The consequences of this reflexive modernization are the radicalization of rationality where people get the chance to question existing situations. Another is agents become individualize resulting to freedom from social constraints and therefore think of other alternatives and participate actively in shaping the society. Individuals reflect more on society and there is growing awareness of the contradiction in the industrial society. This leads to the formation of what Beck calls sub politics which is made up of new social movements outside the political system who are shaping society from below.
Different situations depicted in Michael Moore's "The Big One" is an example of reflexive modernization. As he goes to different places for his book tour, he visits big companies like Johnsons Control, Pillsburry, Leaf, and even Nike. As a member of the sub politics and knowing all about the issues behind those big companies who are laying off workers after making billions of profit, he takes matters into his own hands. There is the presence of radicalization of rationality where Moore himself questions the actions of the companies and takes part in presenting them with checks or certificates of "downsizer" award as an alternative solution to the problem of unemployment across the United States.
