Technocracy. The Renaissance of a Political Movement

The 20th century was marked by the triumph of science and technology, while market economies and democracy repeatedly plunged into deep crises. Stock market crashes and mass unemployment exposed the weaknesses of liberal systems. Technocracy promises a way out of this. It relies on the rule of experts rather than democratic consensus. Its roots stretch from ancient utopias to the Anglo-Saxon movement of the 1930s, when thought leaders such as Thorstein Veblen and Howard Scott advocated for rational elites. In Germany, the idea became intertwined with anti-Semitism and authoritarianism, influencing both socialism and fascism.

In their essay, Georg Seeßlen and Markus Metz describe the renaissance of a political idea and highlight the dangers that arise when technocracy aligns with right-wing populism. They argue that in an age of rapid advancements in knowledge and technology, politics must also cede some of its control and decision-making power to science – though this must be done through public deliberation and democratic legitimization. A modern democracy strong enough to keep a technocratic element in check would then have less reason to fear being threatened – or even replaced – by technocracy.