Scientists and World Order: The Uses of Technical Knowledge in International Organizations

The authors review the roles scientists play in molding international institutions in areas of high technical content (environment, energy, development, health, agriculture and so forth). Extensive interviewing of scientists thus engaged reveals an underlying skepticism on their part about their contribution to the development of rational international policies. Theoretical debates about "holism" and "incrementalism" as the major alternative approaches to the design of international institutions are placed in an empirical perspective.