IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICS

Walter F. Baber

Review of Policy Research, 1988, vol. 8, issue 1, 172-178

Abstract: The advent of impact assessment as a tool of policy is the latest chapter in our understanding of the relationship between science and politics. As such, it presents at least two challenges to democratic politics. Given its emphasis on appropriate procedural character of conteniporary democratic systems. And by raising the value of technical and scientific information in environmental disputes, impact assessment poses a challenge to existing concepts of popular sovereignty, based as they are on interest and preference rather than knowledge. These challenges, however, do not rep‐ resent irreconcilable differences. Although there may be an inherent ten‐ sion between impact assessment and democratic politics, there are also areas of affinity between the two. And we are destined to accept and adapt to this tension because, in fact, understanding is one of our principal defenses against tyranny.

Date: 1988
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