Resistance to New Technology

This book compares resistance to technology across time nations and technologies. Three post-war examples - nuclear power information technology and biotechnology - are used in the analysis. The focus is on post-1945 Europe with comparisons made with the USA Japan and Australia. Instead of assuming that resistance contributes to the failure of a technology the main thesis of the book is that resistance is a constructive force in technological development giving technology its particular shape in a particular context. Whilst many people still believe in the positive contribution made by science and technology many have become sceptical. By exploring the idea that modernity creates effects that undermine its own foundations forms and effects of resistance are explored in various contexts. The book presents a unique interdisciplinary study including contributions from historians sociologists psychologists and political scientists. Language: English