Suchergebnisse

The author presents a case study on the way the UK government handled BSE, with a specific focus on the problems that resulted due to scientific uncertainties that accompanied the attempt to formulate a response to this outbreak. References. D. Miller

The need for a new approach to social science research on environmental problems is examined. In the comtemporary era of proliferating cultural tensions, environmental policymakers must possess culturally contextualized information to make policy decisions. Unfortunately, the domination of positivism & reductionism in government-funded social science research & policy analysis is ill-suited for generations of realistic & sensitive social knowledge, & can exacerbate cultural tensions &, ultimately, environmental conflicts. Examples of the kinds of problems that can occur when governments rely solely on social science research that pays inadequate attention to the cultural dimensions of environmental conflicts are provided: (1) the capital costs of nuclear power; (2) the social impacts of biotechnology; & (3) the public understanding of sustainability. Social science must reexamine not only theoretical & methodological issues, but also the institutionalization of its research. 50 References. D. Generoli