The illusion of neutrality: science diplomacy and the international debate on sustainable development
Authors
-
Raúl Orozco-Magana
Universidad de Guadalajara
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2147-4624
Abstract
Studies on science diplomacy have argued that incorporating the values of science (rationality, transparency and universality) into diplomatic activity helps to generate consensus through the neutrality of science-based arguments. However, recently a critical vision has appeared against this position and considers that there is an illusion of neutrality in science diplomacy by ignoring that countries actually seek to defend their own interests and that science diplomacy actually becomes a means to promote their own agenda disguised with scientific arguments. In this context, it is pertinent to review the trajectory of studies on science diplomacy and confront these two positions with an empirical reference, in this case the international debate on sustainable development, in order to understand the implications of this discussion.
Keywords:
Science diplomacy, Science, Neutrality, Agenda, Sustainable developmentReferences
Bailer, S. (2012). Strategy in the climate change negotiations: Do democracies negotiate differently? Climate Policy, 12(5), 534-551. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2012.691224
Flink, T. (2022). Taking the pulse of science diplomacy and developing practices of valuation. Science and Public Policy, 49(2), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scab074
Gluckman, P. D., Turekian, V., Grimes, R. W., y Kishi, T. (2017). Science Diplomacy: A Pragmatic Perspective from the Inside. Science & Diplomacy, 6(4), 1-13.
Gronow, A., Ylä-Anttila, T., Carson, M., y Edling, C. (2019). Divergent neighbors: Corporatism and climate policy networks in Finland and Sweden. Environmental Politics, 28(6), 1061-1083. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2019.1625149
Jacobsen, L.L., y Olšáková, D. (2020). Diplomats in Science Diplomacy: Promoting Scientific and Technological Collaboration in International Relations. Berichte Zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte, 43(4), 465-472. https://doi.org/10.1002/bewi.202080402
Linkov, I., Trump, B., Tatham, E., Basu, S., y Mihail C., R. (2014). Diplomacy for Science Two Generations Later. Science & Diplomacy, 3(1), 1-8.
Melchor, L. (2020). What Is a Science Diplomat? The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 15(3), 409-423. https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191X-BJA10026
Minor García, A., y Vargas Domínguez, J. (2015). La incursión del científico diplomático en el siglo XX: dos experiencias mexicanas. Revista Digital Universitaria, 16(4), 1-16.
Park, S. (2016). The power of presidency in UN climate change negotiations: Comparison between Denmark and Mexico. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 16(6), 781-795. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-015-9293-6
Ruffini, P.-B. (2020). Conceptualizing science diplomacy in the practitioner-driven literature: A critical review. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-00609-5
Saverio B.F. (2019). The determinants of environmental policy and diplomacy. An empirical investigation of participation in environmental treaties and the influence of domestic pressure groups.
The Royal Society. (2010). New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy. AAAS.
Twitter