Contesting Capitalist Expertise 1968 and 2008

Session for 10th May conference,
Contesting Capitalist Expertise, Then and Now

The 1968 revolts stimulated a broad challenge to capitalist domination in everyday life. By the 1970s struggles were emerging against workplace hazards, nuclear power, agri-industrial food production, biological determinism, etc. Across all these issues, there was a general challenge to dominant assumptions -- about technology as a progressive force, science as objective knowledge, and nature as a raw material to be used more efficiently. The traditional Left had shared these assumptions, so it came under challenge too.

A loose activist network, often called the 'radical science movement', brought together critical perspectives and practices. Technology was no longer accepted as societal progress but instead was criticised as a particular strategy for exploiting human and natural resources. Official expertise was put under scrutiny for its role in serving and legitimising capitalist domination, especially through claims for objective knowledge. Critics sought to develop a counter-expertise which could undermine challenge the narrative of official 'progress' and open up debate about alternative societal futures.

Although most of those efforts remained marginal to institutional power, some projects have endured till today. Their strengths and weaknesses may indicate some useful lessons for today's struggles. Historical continuities can be seen in recent challenges to new technologies and official expertise. Opposition campaigns have targeted capitalist development agendas such as the new genetics, 'clean' fossil fuel, carbon trading schemes, bioprospecting and biofuel crops. These efforts could benefit from a self-reflective look at the legacy of the radical science movement. This session will open up a discussion on efforts at contesting capitalist expertise, then and now.