International Organizations as ‘Experts’ on Indicators and Measurements: Understanding the Politics of OECD’s Technocratization of Innovation

Abstract

AbstractInternational Organizations (IOs) act as powerful actors in construction and constitution of knowledge. This role becomes even more critical as new agendas emerge for global governance in a multi-actor world, making the process of knowledge generation and dissemination even more contentious. One of the tools to exercise such organizational power is through rankings and ratings. These indicators, designed scientifically using expert knowledge, are increasingly being used as tools of statecraft. As good governance synonymizes good business, a technocratic lens has become a preferred practice of present day policymaking. This article attempts to exploreIOs’ role as authoritative knowledge actors, designing indicators for governmentality and policy advocacy. It particularly looks atOECD’s ‘utilitarian’ measurement of innovation based on a technocratic approach.