Reflections of a participant-observer: The technocratic/democratic contradiction in the practice of technology assessment

Abstract

The concept of technology assessment arose in the United States in the early 1970s in conjunction with other social movements of the era that promoted increased democracy and the apprlication of a wider set of values to public decision making. However, citizen participation in the policy process concerning new technologies has been resisted by some government institutions. The actual practice at the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) did not demonstrate very much involvement by citizen organizations; corporate and technocratic interests appeared to be dominant. Indeed, some critics have suggested that technology assessment is purposefully conducted in a fashion that serves to pacify citizen concerns. A case study shows OTA officials deflecting public interest input (although this may have been an aberrant situation).