Technocracy is a form of governance in which decision-making power is vested in experts or technical professionals rather than elected representatives or politicians.
It emphasises the application of scientific knowledge and expertise to guide policy and address societal challenges.
The concept of technocracy emerged in the early 20th century. The ideas behind technocracy gained more prominence during the Great Depression in the 1930s and, during this period, there was a growing belief that the prevailing political and economic systems had failed, and experts with technical knowledge should take charge.
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a dystopian novel from 1932, set in a futuristic (technocratic) society in where scientific advancements and social engineering have created a highly structured and controlled world.
An influential early 20th-century organisation associated with technocracy was the Technocracy Movement, which called for replacing the price-based economic system with a “continental resource-based economy” that would be managed by engineers and scientists.
Technocracy does not have a specific set of individuals or policies associated with it, as it is a broad concept that can be interpreted and implemented differently. However, technocrats typically advocate for the following principles.
- Rule by experts.
- Scientific approach.
- Optimisation os society..
- Economic planning.
Patrick Wood is an author and expert on technocracy.
