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851-0589-00L 2 Credits DS , MSC D-USYS , D-GESS , D-BAUG
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Science, Technology and Public Policy

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Ladina Caduff, Dr. Philipp Aerni
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:32

Abstract

- to improve understanding of political decision-making processes in the field of science & technology- to recognize the challenges and opportunities of technological change in terms of sustainable development- to become familiar with theories and methods used in the analysis of public perceptions and political interests

Objective

- to improve understanding of political decision-making processes in the field of science & technology - to recognize the challenges and opportunities of technological change in terms of sustainable development - to become familiar with theories and methods used in the analysis of public perceptions and political interests

Content

Science, Technology and Innovation are the driving forces of economic development, the efficient use of natural resources and social change. Public policy is expected to provide the legal instruments that help minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of technological change for the public at large. Yet, due to the uncertainty related to the potential risks and benefits of new technologies, it is impossible to regulate them merely on the basis of actual scientific knowledge. Instead political interests and public perceptions are increasingly influencing the outcome of regulatory frameworks related to new technologies. This course raises the following questions: How do political decisions related to the regulation or promotion of new technologies occur? What are the main factors that contribute to technological innovation? What are the consequences of such political decisions for the management of global public goods (e.g., providing a clean environment, public health, access to nutritious food)? What is the relationship between technological change and sustainable development? The positive and negative impacts of policy intervention in the course of technological change are to be discussed by means of selected theories from the field of political economy and portrayed in detail through case studies of particular political activities (environmental regulation, patent law, anti-trust, North-South technology transfer). The 2-hour course (5-7 p.m.) will be held as a series of lectures. The course materials will be distributed in form of a Reader (hard copy) at the beginning of the semester and listed on the Internet ( http://www.ib.ethz.ch/index04.htm ). The class will be taught in English and German. Students will be asked to take a final test at the end of the semester. The course is worth two credit points in the ECTS System or may be credited as a Colloquium.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Reader with issue-specific articles. E-version is partly available under(http://www.ib.ethz.ch/index04.htm)

Literature

http://www.iaw.agrl.ethz.ch/~aernip/ Dutfield, Graham. Intellectual Property Rights, Trade and Biodiversity: London: Earthscan Publications, 2000. Farber, Daniel. Eco-pragmatism: Making Sensible Environmental Decisions in an Uncertain World. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000. Kaul, Inge/Grunberg, Isabelle, and Marc A. Stern (eds). Global Public Goods. International Cooperation in the 21th century. Published for the United Nations Development Program. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Olson, Mancur. Rise and Decline of Nations. New Haven/London, Yale University Press, 1982. Schumpeter, Joseph A. Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. New York. Harper Collins Publishers, 1942. Rosenberg, Nathan. Schumpeter and the Endogeneity of Technology. London: Routledge, 2000. Viscusi, W. Kip et. al. The Economic of Regulation and Antistrust. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Science, Technology and Public Policy
  • Tue 10:15-12:00 (LFW E 11)
2 h weekly

Offered In