Operationalizing Anticipatory Governance: Steering Emerging Technologies Towards Sustainability

摘要: Technological innovation is a double-edged and contested arena. On one hand, it has brought us global communications unprecedented access to information for those connected the Internet. The last 100 years have seen widespread deployment of household electricity, potable tap water, host transportation options in Global North. Technologies allow manipulate matter at subatomic level, observe far reaches universe. Humans been moon, discovered life deep oceans, nearly eradicated polio. Clearly, technologies are powerful force world, as key economic prosperity 21st century.On other climate change threatens survival many species, livelihoods much future human population. Further, from alone terms problems which large-scale technological contributed. Asbestos, DES, DDT, endocrine disruptors among where some, perhaps many, negative environmental consequences that ensued could conceivably mitigated. governance clearly an area possible improvement, emerging present particularly attractive leverage point, they yet develop substantial sociotechnical institutional momentum.The dominant approach U.S. characterized by combination market forces, public support basic science targeted initiatives, science-based risk assessment regulation. In recent years, EU emphasized Precautionary Principle alternative basis, there debate about respective merits precaution science. This dissertation argues discourse misses larger point: prevailing approaches both inadequate, excessively focused on relatively narrow conceptions risk, do not provide coherent framework considering risks, benefits, distributional tradeoffs simultaneously, tend more towards reactivity than proactivity, production goods. These failings systematically produce series gaps context economy. Specifically, rate tends outstrip existing capacities assessment, especially case fields such nanotechnology. Second, capacity lag oversight undermine confidence trust. Third, markets underproduce goods, problem acute arenas with externalities. Finally, relevant institutions generally lack systematic capability incorporate foresight into current policy-making meaningful way.This proposes concepts anticipatory sustainability basis addressing these gaps. A strong theme transatlantic translation runs throughout; developments technology occurred Europe, require adaptation function effectively American sociopolitical environment. Anticipatory provides culturally appropriate philosophical underpinning process; offers substantive direction. goal overarching theory, but operationalize ideas, put practice respect articulated above. empirical investigations first two employ nanoscale cases explore specific instances general question what we need anticipate risks perceptions, respectively. inquiries regarding third fourth exploratory. goods through innovation, how historical patterns structures help demark boundaries constructive intervention space investment? With capacities, can assist evaluating programs, designing solutions future?Several conclusions direct relevance policy, strategy, result. First, decision-making paradigms improvement order consider risk-benefit adequately, guidance actors ground prolonged absence scientific regulatory certainty. effective engagement programs must complement feed representative democracy, rather attempting circumvent or replace them. purported Valley Death between invention penetration barriers entry sectors poor match private funding incentives, implying this increased levels intervention. highlights fragmented nature policy responses governance, does indeed solid foundation design institutions, while recognizing their implementation will be dynamic, contested, theoretically impure.