Reflections of a participant-observer: the technocratic/democratic contradiction in the practice of technology assessment

Article Abstract:

Criticisms regarding the founding of the Office of Technology Assessment included the faint involvement of citizen organizations in its actual practice. Critics also implied that the practice of technology assessment sought to allay citizen issues and to serve corporate and technocratic concerns. The resistance of some government agencies to citizen input in the policy process of new technologies was contrary to the social movements in the early 1970s that promoted increased democracy.

Social aspects, Administrative agencies, Government agencies

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Lessons in technology assessment: methodology and management at OTA

Article Abstract:

The lessons from the now defunct congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) should aid future technology assessment (TA) groups in methodology and management. The next generation of OTA-like organizations, whether in the public or private sector, will have a more flexible product line and study process. The TA groups are also expected to cope with various congressional needs while keeping OTA's reputation of objectivity, balance and broad participation.

Management

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The OTA story: the agency perspective

Article Abstract:

The Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), which Congress established in 1972, was abolished in 1996 because of budget cuts and political shifts. The OTA provided exact, thorough and nonpartisan reporting and furnished Congress with data, analysis and options via a self-developed structure and process. The agency also established an open interface among many American communities and Congress by exhausting nongovernmental stakeholders and experts as advisers.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Introduction: the end of OTA and the future of technology assessment. Congress and policy analysis: a context for assessing the use of OTA projects

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