Technocracy: Hopes and risks

Abstract

© 2019 Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. The article is devoted to analysis of the main tenets of technocratic conception, which appeared as result of industrial and scientific/technological development. The aim of study is to consider the above tenets taking into account the real technocracy's activity. There are discovered the main signs of technocracy and its role in elaboration and realization of scientifictechnical and industrial projects. It is difficult to overestimate the role of technocrats in strategic planning. Russia needs these people and relies on them as a force able to put up the country to advanced positions in the world. There is pointed out that domination of technocrats can create some risks for society. In view of the supporters of technocracy the latter implies a rejection of democracy. The author substantiates the idea that domination of technocrats contradicts not democracy as such but the direct one. Technocratic governance doesn't exclude important institutes of democracy such as elections, political competition, separation of powers, political opposition and political parties, freedom of speech and presence of alternative sources of information, rights and freedoms of individual and others but restricts the role of mass political participation in solving complex social and economic problems. There are suggested some variants for combination of professionalism and democratic participation. Attitudes of technocrats to politics, ideology and social policy are discussed. Contrary to the view that technocrats are alienated from politics author suggests that technocrats are not apolitical actors. There is no wall between technocrats and politicians. Technocrats cannot be free from politics. They work in the definite political and ideological environment that determinates requirements for governance apparat and character and goals of governance system. Technocrats act in framework of social and political priorities arranged by politicians.