Setting the Values First — towards a New Paradigm

Abstract

Ideally, the way most of us think democracy should work is that the politicians make their decisions based on the societal values they are elected to represent. Politicians consult scientists in accordance with practical needs, and the experts provide decision-makers with factual material. However, experts often put their own values into their assessments or, to be more precise, the values are hidden in their underlying assumptions. Experts also frame, in narrow technical terms, the issues that have been raised by the politicians. They may also have their own interest in the assessment results, for example that certain areas are more important for future research than others, or that a risk assessment should result in values lower than regulatory limits.¹ Therefore, in a transparent decision-making system, the public must have the opportunity to evaluate the arguments of the experts and decide whether the experts are credible or if they have hidden agendas.