Vandendriessche, Joris; Peeters, Evert Peeters; Wils, Kaat

Scientists' Expertise As Performance : Between State and Society, 1860-1960

Modern society cannot function without experts and yet we increasingly question the authority of those who advise us. This study explores our reliance on experts within a historical context and across a wide range of fields, including agriculture, engineering, health sciences and labour management. Contributors argue that experts were highly aware of their audiences and used performance to gain both scientific and popular support.