SOCI 325 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Knowledge Economy, Neoliberalism
Document Summary
Lecture 15 - political economy of science and technol. No exogenous constraints on production, exchange or consumption of knowledge. Value of knowledge determined by "market" forces in response to knowledge consumers. In a free form economy, scientists are both the producers and consumers of knowledge. Incentive structures allow for the producers/consumers of knowledge (eponymy, awards, etc) maintains skepticism and allows only good knowledge production to flourish. Until very recently, scientific research on cannabis in the us is heavily restricted. Only certain scientists were allowed to research cannabis (a schedule 1 drug) Only certain research questions were allowed to be investigated (focus on the harmful effects of cannabis) Only one source of cannabis can be used - provided by the. National institute of drug abuse and the university of. Still true in most states, even those with legal recreational and medial cannabis. Side point: nationwide decriminalization and legalization of cannabis is starting to change this.
