Science, Numbers and Politics

This study explores the dynamic relationship between science, numbers and politics. What can scientific evidence realistically do in and for politics? The volume contributes to that debate by focusing on the role of numbers as a means by which knowledge is expressed and through which that knowledge can be transferred into the political realm. Based on the assumption that numbers are constantly being actively created, translated, and used, and that they need to be interpreted in their respective and particular contexts, it examines how numbers and quantifications are made 'politically workable', examining their production, their transition into the sphere of politics and their eventual use therein. Key questions that are addressed include: In what ways does scientific evidence affect political decision-making in the contemporary world? How and why did quantification come to play such an important role within democratic politics? What kind of work do scientific evidenceand numbers do politically?

Examines the role of numbers for and in politics Argues that numbers are a connecting device between science and politics Sheds light on the current distrust in expert and scientific knowledge.

Autorentext
Markus J. Prutsch is Senior Investigator and Administrator at the European Parliament, and a fellow of both the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Heidelberg University, Germany. He studied history and political science in Austria and Germany, and was a researcher at the European University Institute and the University of Helsinki, Finland. His work has been awarded on several occasions.

Inhalt

1. Working Numbers Introductory Remarks: Markus J. Prutsch.- 2. Historical Genesis of the Relation between Science, Numbers, and Politics Section I Introduction: Kelly L. Grotke, Stephen Hastings-King.- 3. Lies, damned lies and state-istics: counting real inhabitants in the census (Belgium, 1846-1947): Kaat Louckx.- 4. What Use is it in the Long Run to Resist Something that is Bound to Happen Anyway? the Statistical Mind Settling in 19th C. Politics: Ida H. Stamhuis.- 5. Science, numbers, and colonialism in the African Great Lakes, 1820-1910: Axel Utz.- 6. The emergence of a global economic order - From scientific internationalism to infrastructural globalism: Anat Leibler.- 7. Politics and Science Today. Section II Introduction: Kathrine von Graevenitz, Georg von Graevenitz.- 8. Politics and Policies of Statistics Independence: Jean-Guy Prévost.- 9. Measuring, Modeling, Controlling the Climate? Numerical Expertise in U.S. Climate Engineering Politics: Julia Schubert.- 10. What Counts in the Politics of Climate Change? Science, Scepticism and Emblematic Numbers: Amanda Machin, Alexander Ruser.- 11. Kings and Indicators - Options for Governing without Numbers: Wolfgang Drechsler.- 12. European and International Education Policies: Lars Lehmann, Markus J. Prutsch.- 13. Higher Purpose and Economic Reason. An essay concerning the role of numbers as guide values of European education policy: Jörg J. Dötsch.- 14. Standardizing the Context and Contextualizing the Standard - Translating PISA into PISA-D: Radhika Gorur, Estrid Sørensen, Bryan Maddox.- 15. "Let's Talk Numbers - Parliamentary Research in Educational Affairs in Light of Political Demand for Quantification The Knesset in Comparative Perspective: Yuval Vurgan.- 16. Science, Numbers and Politics Concluding Comments: Lars Lehmann, Markus J. Prutsch.