Technology assessment at the German Bundestag: 'expertising' democracy for 'democratising' expertise

摘要

Taking the example of the consultation of experts in processes of parliamentary decision-making, this article shows how it is possible to support democratic processes by means of the institutional and organisational type of technology assessment (TA) chosen by the German Bundestag. Members of the Bundestag often find it difficult to discern on which premises and preconditions expert knowledge is based. They are quite often helpless facing the 'experts' dilemma', consisting of the confrontation of expertise and counter-expertise. The questions to be dealt with are, how TA as advice to the legislature deals with this situation, what kind of experience has been gained with it, and what are the limitations.