Four States of Knowledge: A Cultural Theory of the Co-Production of Science, Social Order, and Scientific, Cultural, and Policy Change

38 Pages Posted: 8 Sep 2010

See all articles by Brendon Swedlow

Brendon Swedlow

Northern Illinois University - Political Science

Date Written: September 2, 2010

Abstract

In States of Knowledge (2004), Sheila Jasanoff argues that we gain explanatory power by thinking of natural and social orders as being produced together, but she and her volume contributors do not yet offer a theory of the co-production of scientific knowledge and social order. This article uses Mary Douglas’s cultural theory to identify four recurring states of knowledge and specifies political cultural conditions for the co-production of scientific knowledge, social order, and scientific, cultural, and policy change. The plausibility of this theory is illustrated by using it to explain the co-production and transformation of forest and wildlife science and management in the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Citation

Swedlow, Brendon, Four States of Knowledge: A Cultural Theory of the Co-Production of Science, Social Order, and Scientific, Cultural, and Policy Change (September 2, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1673521 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1673521

Brendon Swedlow (Contact Author)

Northern Illinois University - Political Science ( email )

DeKalb, IL 60115
United States
(815)753.7061 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://polisci.niu.edu/faculty/cv/swedlow.html

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