key term - Technocracy

Definition

Technocracy is a system of governance where decision-makers are selected based on their technical expertise and scientific knowledge, rather than political affiliations or popular vote. This idea emerged during the early 20th century as a response to the inefficiencies of traditional political systems, advocating for the application of scientific principles to manage society and its resources more effectively.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Technocracy gained prominence during the Great Depression as people sought solutions to economic problems through scientific and engineering approaches.
2. The Technocratic Movement proposed a new economic system where engineers and scientists would take over management roles in industries to optimize resource allocation.
3. In the 1930s, the Technocratic movement produced a detailed plan known as the Technocrat's Manifesto, which outlined their vision for a scientifically managed society.
4. Technocracy also advocated for replacing traditional currency with a system based on energy credits to measure and allocate resources more efficiently.
5. While technocracy has never been fully implemented as a governing system, its ideas influenced various aspects of modern management practices and public policy.

Review Questions

• How did technocracy propose to address the issues faced by traditional political systems in the early 20th century?
  • Technocracy aimed to address inefficiencies in traditional political systems by promoting governance based on technical expertise and scientific knowledge. By advocating for experts in fields like engineering and economics to manage resources and industries, technocrats believed they could create a more efficient society. This shift from political affiliations to a merit-based system was particularly appealing during times of crisis, like the Great Depression.
• Evaluate the impact of the Technocratic Movement on societal views regarding governance and economic management during its rise in the 1930s.
  • The Technocratic Movement significantly shifted societal views on governance and economic management by emphasizing rationality and scientific principles over political ideologies. The movement’s proposals, including energy credits as a replacement for currency, challenged traditional notions of economics and inspired discussions about efficiency in resource allocation. Although it did not lead to widespread adoption, it sparked an enduring interest in how scientific approaches could improve public administration.
• Analyze how technocratic ideas continue to influence contemporary governance and management practices in today's society.
  • Technocratic ideas continue to shape contemporary governance by promoting evidence-based policymaking and reliance on experts in various fields to guide decisions. The emphasis on data analytics, economic modeling, and scientific research reflects technocratic values that prioritize efficiency and effectiveness over populism. As modern societies face complex challenges like climate change and public health crises, technocracy’s focus on technical expertise offers frameworks for addressing these issues through informed decision-making and resource management.

Related terms

Scientific Management: A theory of management that analyzes workflows to improve economic efficiency and labor productivity, often associated with the work of Frederick Taylor.

Rationalism: A philosophical approach emphasizing reason as the primary source of knowledge and justification, which greatly influenced technocratic thought.

Industrial Society: A social system characterized by the use of machinery and factories, significantly impacting the economy and organization of societies during the 19th and 20th centuries.