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Technologies of democracy: experiments and demonstrations
1Centre de Sociologie de l'Innovation, Mines ParisTech, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06, France. brice.laurent@ensmp.fr
Science and Engineering Ethics
|August 20, 2011
Summary
Technologies of democracy facilitate public participation in addressing societal issues. Science and Technology Studies offer methods to analyze these democratic tools and their impact on political landscapes.
Area of Science:
- Science and Technology Studies (STS)
- Political Science
- Sociology of Science
Background:
- Public engagement in science and technology is crucial for democratic societies.
- Defining and addressing public problems requires effective democratic instruments.
- Nanotechnology presents complex challenges for public deliberation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze "technologies of democracy" using Science and Technology Studies (STS) frameworks.
- To examine how public engagement is organized in the context of nanotechnology.
- To explore the political implications of public participation in scientific and technological development.
Main Methods:
- Case study analysis of three public engagement initiatives in French nanotechnology.
- Application of STS concepts to describe experiments, demonstrations, and controversies.
- Examination of counter-experiments and counter-demonstrations as responses.
Main Results:
- Technologies of democracy involve material, social, and knowledge-based components.
- STS methods effectively analyze the dynamics of public engagement and controversies.
- Public engagement processes can stabilize or challenge existing democratic orders.
Conclusions:
- STS provides valuable analytical tools for understanding democratic technologies.
- The study of public engagement reveals potential for alternative political arrangements.
- Analyzing democratic technologies is essential for navigating complex scientific and societal issues.
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