Policy Legitimacy, Science and Political Authority

Exploring the dynamics of political and expert authority, Policy Legitimacy, Science and Political Authority reveals tensions in public policy formation.

This book delves into the intricate relationship between political authority and expert authority in shaping public policy within liberal democracies. Voters generally expect their elected officials to create sound policies based on the best available knowledge. However, when representatives lean heavily on expert opinions, it raises questions about their own authority, as they appear to defer to individuals whose expertise is derived not from democratic mandate but from the perceived objectivity of their disciplines.

Policy Legitimacy, Science and Political Authority seeks to illuminate the complexities inherent in this relationship rather than propose definitive solutions. Through its various chapters, the book examines how these two forms of authority interact across a range of policy areas, highlighting both their commonalities and differences. The discussion spans various critical domains, including climate geoengineering, environmental health, biotechnology, nuclear power, whaling, economic management, and military intervention.

This volume is particularly relevant for researchers and educators in policy studies, foreign policy decision-making, political science, environmental studies, democratic system analysis, and science policy. By providing a nuanced understanding of the tensions between political and expert authority, Policy Legitimacy, Science and Political Authority contributes to ongoing debates about governance and the role of expertise in democratic societies.