Mini-publics and activism. Democratizing science and technology

Abstract

Starting from an extensive literature review, I examine the democratizing effects of two forms of public participation in science and technology (S&T): mini-publics (institutionalized participation) and activism. The analysis incorporates dimensions proposed in various typologies of public participation, introducing a distinction between production and consumption of S&T. I examine the position of social actors in participation in S&T matters and distinguish the democratizing effects caused. I argue that the fragility of institutionalized public participation as a democratizing instrument is related to the distancing from the power relations that cross the development of S&T, while activism achieves some democratic advances by constituting itself in the confrontation of these power relations.