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Totalitarian Science and Technology (Control of Nature)
Totalitarian Science and Technology - Control of Nature Author:Paul R. Josephson Science and technology in totalitarian regimes is associated with images of abusive doctors in concentration camps or dictators controlling genetic resources. Are these cases representative of what constitutes science in totalitarian regimes, or are they anomalies? Based on a synthesis and reinterpretation of recent work, this book presents a ba... more »lanced view of science in totalitarian regimes by going beyond attacks on their "pseudo-science" to investigate and understand how politics and culture shape science and technology. It rebukes the notion that science operates according to democratic principles, arguing that this view of science is hard to reconcile with the fact that in most totalitarian regimes the science enterprise is dynamic and follows international paradigms both in terms of focus and methodologies that scientists employ. It shows that the scientific successes of Soviet scientists, such as Sputnik and the development of the Tokamuk fusion, despite their subjection to arbitary one-party rule. Turning to a discussion of technology, it argues that two features distinguish large-scale technological systems in totalitarian regimes from those in other systems. First, the state is the prime mover in technological development. In order to achieve the goals of economic self-sufficincy and military might, the state harnesses the efforts of engineers and scientists to its programmes. Second, large-scale technologies in totalitarian systems require an aesthetic based on gigantomania, the gigantic structures reflecting the efforts of officials and engineers to publicly demonstrate the strength, glory and ligitimacy of the regime.« less