The Political Impact of Technical Expertise

Abstract

Technologies of speed and power airports, power generating facilities, highways, dams are often a focus of bitter opposition. As these technologies become increasingly controversial, scientists, whose expertise forms the basis of technical decisions, find themselves involved in public disputes. This 'public' role of science has generated concern both within the profession and beyond; for a scientist's involvement in controversial issues may violate the norms of scientific research, but have considerable impact on the political process. As scientists are called upon to address a wider range of controversial policy questions,l 'problems of political choice [may] become buried in debate among experts over highly technical alternatives'.2 This paper will discuss some of the implications of the increasing involvement of scientists in controversial areas. What is the role of experts in public disputes? How are they used by various parties to a controversy, and how do scientists behave once involved? Finally, what is their impact on the political dynamics of such disputes?