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Framing public engagement: A critical discourse analysis of GM Nation?

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  • Attar, Arif
  • Genus, Audley

Abstract

The shift towards more democratic and ‘engaged’ processes of public participation in the governance of science and technology owes much to a deepening crisis of trust in experts and a crisis of legitimation surrounding institutions of modernity. However, previous research has neglected relations of power and domination within national level public engagement exercises. The paper employs critical discourse analysis (CDA) to examine these issues as they pertain to the case of the GM Nation? exercise held in the UK in 2003 on the possible commercialisation of GM (genetically modified) crops. CDA is concerned with the ideological effects of texts — the effects of texts in creating, sustaining and transforming ideologies. The analysis suggests that the GM Nation? debate reproduced and reinforced a structure which stabilised around a neo-liberal economic discourse. The implications of this for policy and practice relating to public engagement in science and technology decision-making are identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Attar, Arif & Genus, Audley, 2014. "Framing public engagement: A critical discourse analysis of GM Nation?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 241-250.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:88:y:2014:i:c:p:241-250
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2014.07.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Durant, 1999. "Participatory technology assessment and the democratic model of the public understanding of science," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 26(5), pages 313-319, October.
    2. Dan Bloomfield & Kevin Collins & Charlotte Fry & Richard Munton, 2001. "Deliberation and Inclusion: Vehicles for Increasing Trust in UK Public Governance?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 19(4), pages 501-513, August.
    3. Steve Rayner, 2003. "Democracy in the age of assessment: Reflections on the roles of expertise and democracy in public-sector decision making," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 30(3), pages 163-170, June.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhou, Zhongbing & Qin, Quande, 2020. "Decoding China's natural gas development: A critical discourse analysis of the five-year plans," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    3. Stocker, Volker & Whalley, Jason, 2019. "Who replies to consultations, and what do they say? The case of broadband universal service in the UK," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(8), pages 1-1.
    4. Duckett, Dominic George & McKee, Annie J. & Sutherland, Lee-Ann & Kyle, Carol & Boden, Lisa A. & Auty, Harriet & Bessell, Paul R. & McKendrick, Iain J., 2017. "Scenario planning as communicative action: Lessons from participatory exercises conducted for the Scottish livestock industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 138-151.

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