The role of citizen public-interest groups in the decision-making process of a science-intensive culture

Miscellaneous · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5295472

Sinclair, M P

This study explores how concerns about the environment have escalated in the past three decades from being peripheral to that of a mainstream social movement. Most environmental concerns stem from the deployment of technologies where technical expertise is essential to effective participation in the decision-making process. The manner in which the current policy for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste was devised and passed by Congress provides the information base through which the role of citizen groups in the decision-making process in a science-intensive culture is explored, as they seek to overcome the adverse environmental impacts and economic inequities of this Act. The actual process by which citizens have confronted this current flawed policy is described, which includes how technical expertise from various sources made the citizens' case credible and effective. Several existing and theoretical models of citizen participation are described. Recommendations and conclusions are presented briefly, and a recommended model based on the concept of sustainable development is proposed.

• Research Organization: Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5295472
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INTEREST GROUPS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy