Abstract: The research on governance of risk society calls for a basic theory. In the perspective of Foucault’s theory of governmentality, the features of risk society based on modernity are analyzed, state governance on a macro and dynamic level is explored in a new perspective, and a general theory of risk society governance is attempted to be achieved. According to the theory of governmentality, modern state governance involves expertise management based on “Raison d’état” (Reason of State) with a view to avoiding uncertainty, while risk society, typically representing “the second modernity”, features systematicity, uncertainty and the specialization of practice and knowledge. Therefore, the theory of governmentality provides a basic conceptual framework for a general theory of risk society governance. Nevertheless, a warning should be rung that rigidity of institutions and over-governance arising from institutional, cultural and technological problems are becoming potential traps for contemporary social governance.

Key words: risk society, governmentality, over-governance.