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Science, Technology and The Distribution of Impacts

The document discusses a proposal to examine the distribution of impacts from science and technology (S&T). The proposal includes tasks such as reviewing literature, developing hypotheses and conceptual models, and conducting case studies and surveys. The paper examines issues like unequal benefits and costs of S&T, concepts of equality related to S&T outcomes, and how S&T interacts with dimensions of equality. It also discusses types of equality relevant to S&T impacts and provides examples of how policy choices can influence the distribution of S&T impacts. Finally, it poses questions about potential causes of maldistribution of S&T impacts.

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Nitin Grover
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263 views

Science, Technology and The Distribution of Impacts

The document discusses a proposal to examine the distribution of impacts from science and technology (S&T). The proposal includes tasks such as reviewing literature, developing hypotheses and conceptual models, and conducting case studies and surveys. The paper examines issues like unequal benefits and costs of S&T, concepts of equality related to S&T outcomes, and how S&T interacts with dimensions of equality. It also discusses types of equality relevant to S&T impacts and provides examples of how policy choices can influence the distribution of S&T impacts. Finally, it poses questions about potential causes of maldistribution of S&T impacts.

Uploaded by

Nitin Grover
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Science, Technology and the Distribution of Impacts

The Conundrum

If we set aside the structural inequalities that flow from the U.S. economy, are there any reasons why poor people would be disadvantaged by S&T

Tasks Identified in the Proposal


Task 1. Develop a review of existing literature related to the distribution of S&T impacts. Task 2. Develop plausible hypotheses about the relation of S&T social, political and production dynamics as they pertain to the distribution of S&T impacts. Task 3. Develop conceptual models pertaining to Task 2. Task 4. Case Studies. A set of case studies will be developed to test the models articulated in Task 3. Task 5. Survey Research or Case Histories. Task 5 considers citizens experiences and preferences for S&T outcomes and consumption. This may be done either by intensive case histories of families or by survey research or both.

Issues examined in the paper


Demonstrably, the mix of benefits and costs of science and technology are presently quite unequal. What factors account for observed disparities? What are the concepts of equality that one can examine with respect to the outcomes of science and technology? The impacts of science and technology cannot be perfectly equal. Absent a perfect distribution of benefits, what types and levels of equality of benefit are possible and desirable? How do characteristics of S&T interact with dimensions of equality to conduce social impacts and how may those impacts be conceptualized?

S&T? S or T?

Despite several fundamental differences, we view science and technology (hereafter S&T) as having this in common:
(1) both are based on technical knowledge, that is, knowledge developed through some combination of systematic empirical observation and the use of pre-existing knowledge (including theory but also many other bases of knowledge); (2) both accumulate and are available to other knowledge producers and the utility of the knowledge is certified by others use (e.g. Bozeman and Rogers, 2001); (3) both are subject to revision on pragmatic grounds; (4) both may be embedded in process and product innovations.

S&T as a unified technology delivery system


When taken together, almost all nonnatural physical configurations affecting human beings have their origins in S&T. Most innovations involve the melding of physical device and formal, devised social configurations to affect human beings as technology delivery systems (Ezra, 1975).

Types Equality Relevant to S&T Impacts: Value Statements

Political Equality

People affected by political decisions should have the opportunity to participate in those decisions. People should have the opportunity to participate in the marketplace, and reap rewards as a function of their ability and effort. There is a certain basic minimum that all members of society should be provided, regardless of merit. People should not be discriminated against on the basis of biological characteristics.

Equality of Opportunity

Equality of Basic Needs

Biological Equality

Political Equality and S&T Impacts


Type of Equality S&T Impacts
-Access and ability to use information technology may be needed to gather relevant information. -A basic understanding of scientific principles is necessary to interpret scientific and technical information. -Knowledge sharing and political empowerment requires ability to use communication technologies.

Literature
Kellog and Mathur 2003; Plough and Krimsky 1990; Fielder 1992;Epstein 2000; Tesh 2003; Sclove 2000; Kakabadse et al. 2003; Epstein 2000;Winner 1992; Kleinman 2000

Political Equality

CapacityImpact

Internet

Heart Valve

Social Impact

Personal Computer MP3 Player Cinema

Individual Impact

Hedonic Impact

Fig. One: S&T Social Impact Model

Biological + CapacityImpact Opportunity -

Political +

Basic Needs -

Basic Needs +

Social Impact

Individual Impact

Opportunity +

Consumption Impact

Political -

Fig. Two: Expanded S&T Social Impact Model

Biological -

Policy Choice and S&T Impacts Distribution- Examples


The predominance of white males in clinical trials (a de facto distributional choice); Minimal funds devoted to diseases of the poor, including tuberculosis and malaria, while diseases affecting a fraction of the people (but ones who vote and have strong associational interest groups); Increasing funds allocated to high end, enormously expensive medical technology that can only be afforded by those with excellent private insurance; Placement of garbage burning incineration plants in low income neighborhoods; R&D tax credits (for profitable, high technology business)

Questions about Maldistribution of S&T Impacts


Does peer review and the emphasis on the quality of research mitigate the focus on social benefit and the distribution of benefits? Compared to civilian technology, does a focus on defense and national security technology, and the dual use technologies that accrue, tend to provide less benefit to the disadvantaged? What are the impacts of labor saving technologies on jobs usually occupied by the poor? How does new technology present barriers to entry in the workforce or barriers to workforce mobility?-Labor class, Technical jobs Do advances in linkage technologies (e.g. banking and financial services) further disempower the poor? Do technologies, including medical technologies, allow the rich to wall themselves from the poor and thereby reduce attention to issues that once affected the general public

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