Transparency and Accountability in Science and Politics - The Awareness Principle

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Publication date
2008-07-10

Transparency and Accountability in Science and Politics - The Awareness Principle by Kjell AndersssonSource: http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?PID=281166

Andersson challenges the role of scientists and expertise in policy making as well as the idea of deliberative democracy. The integrity of science, politics and journalism is dissolving - market conditions are in play and as a result we have a market democracy. Andersson finds evidence of this in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnologies, radioactive waste management and global warming. Furthermore, branches of journalism are explored and found not to meet reasonable demands for transparency. The idea of public participation in decision-making, having been launched as a way to restore trust, has become just another area in the market where different processes of participation are being launched and promoted. Instead, Andersson proposes an awareness principle as an integral part of the representative political system. He then suggests a practical framework for the creation of arenas that can set the principle into practice. This is done with a unique holistic approach integrating the societal problems of technologies with models of democracy, “science and society” and journalism.

CONTENTS:
Introduction
The Democratic Challenge
Science has lost its Ethos
Values, Emotions, Interests and Rationality
Radioactive Waste Management
Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Biotechnology and Nanotechnologies
Global Warming
Examples from other Areas
Lessons Learned
Insight into Democratic Theory - and the Awareness Principle
Awareness and Transparency
Public Involvement
The Democratic Paradox
The Public Sphere - Mass Media and Journalism
Setting the Values First - Towards a New Paradigm
Principles for New Arenas
Institutional Anchoring
Final Remarks

KJELL ANDERSSON, PhD in theoretical physics, was among the first to understand the need for dialogue and transparency in the Swedish nuclear waste management programme. He has since then been the leader of many projects dealing with public participation and risk communication in energy production, mobile telephone systems and environmental protection. Andersson has recently proposed the establishment of a ‘European Transparency Arena’ aimed to support political decision-making in controversial issues. He is the Managing Director of Karita Research, where he develops methods to strengthen political and public awareness in areas with a high scientific and technological content.

10 July 2008                     Hardback         £55.00             978-0-230-54217-4

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