Habermas's Criticism And Transcendence Of Technocracy

In the 1950 s and 1960 s,the social and political influence of scientific and technological progress was discussed in the west German theoretical circle,and a theory of technocracy emerged.There are many translations of Technocracy.The core idea is to rule or manage society by scientists,technologists or the inherent rationality of technology.In the modern society,the state adopts the efficient and instrumental management means of technology to treat people as the object of domination.The theoretical and social effects of technocratic theory have aroused the concern of Habermas and have made theoretical responses to technocratic theory in his works.Etymologically,the word Technocracy has multiple meanings.First,it emphasizes the legitimacy of technology in social application.Second,the authority of technology is higher than other social driving forces;Third,political system based on the organizational principle of technology;Fourth,the society is ruled by technical experts.At present,Chinese scholars have translated Technocracy into kinds of ways.Habermas thinks that Technocracy expresses two connotations about technology management and expert governance,so,it is appropriate to translate Technocracy in such way.The core view of technocracy is showed in two aspects: first,some scholars attach importance to the role of experts and technicians in governing a country,which is represented by Bacon,Hobbes and Saint-Simon;Other scholars emphasize the role of technology in social governance,represented by Gehlen,Freyer,Bell,Marcuse and others.Then,Habermas began to criticize Technocracy,and pointed out that Technocracy was deficient in rationality and legitimacy.The lack of rationality is manifested in theTechnocracy which the core principle is control mode,can not take care of the multiple needs of people in real life.The flaw of legitimacy is that Technocracy's legitimacy is obtained by transforming the people rather than a spontaneous and real one.Habermas pointed out the instrumental rational logic of Technocracy and its deficiency,that can help us avoid the harm of Technocracy.But Habermas was too pessimistic about technology to notice its power to promote communication.Habermas tried to use procedural negotiating politics to transcend technocracy.Based on the theory of discourse,procedural negotiating politics can not onlyguarantee the legitimacy and improve the rationality,at the same time,turn to the inter-subjective perspective on the basis of life world,rely on universal pragmatics to ensure the general appeal of subject,and formed the political consensus among subjects.Habermas provides a procedural negotiating political solution to the late capitalist crisis,which is conducive to meeting many of the challenges in current politics.But Habermas' s theory also exists insufficiency,Foucault think,habermas' s theory is too idealistic,and ignored the many marginalized groups,his theory is not only a communication of utopia,but also can be the exclusive privilege of exchanges.