Examples Science Court (US) Scientists and public officials Adversary proceedures to establish consensus on
'scientific truth' Advisory Commissions of Science and Technology
Ministry (Germany) Scientists; representatives of major
institutions A comprehensive discussion of a project or
problem area Royal Commissions (UK) Experts and public officials Comprehensive discussion to achieve agreement on
a controversial issue Examples Public Inquiries (England, Australia) Scientists; interested public, local public
authorities Comprehensive discussion of project or problem
area to raise public awareness and to help
officials decide issue Complaint Investigations (France) Civil servants; interested public;
scientists To formulate objections based on individual or
collective rights and to amend decisions Environmental Mediation (US, Australia) Environmental groups; project developers; third
party mediator To allow face-to-face confrontation over
specific projects and settle disputes Citizen Advisory Groups (US, Australia) Community groups, local residents To allow local community to influence a specific
decision affecting local interests Referenda (US, Austria, Switzerland,
Holland) Voting public To arbitrate a controversial decision by direct
vote
Source: Dorothy Nelkin and Michael Pollak, 'Public ParÝicipation in Technological Decisions: Reality or Grand Illusion?', Technology Review, August/September 1979, pp. 55-64. |