The Socially Contested Development of Sociotechnical Systems

Abstract

In the tradition of Science and Technology Studies, I reject technological determinism. Technological determinism holds that technology develops autonomously of social forces but changes the social order. Instead, this work focuses on how the development of technology is shaped by social groups. I introduce four theories: First, interpretative flexibility holds that social groups have different visions for how a technology should look. Second, hot causes inspire market rebels to mobilize around technologies. Third, the state can promote or prevent the adoption of a new technology through funding or regulation. Finally, the resonance of technologies with culture affects their adoption. I apply these theories to a series of historical case studies: the American automobile in the early twentieth century, the anti-biotechnology movement in Germany during the 1980s, and the development of the passenger airplane from 1900-1970. Afterwards, I determine which theories best explain whether a technology will be adopted.