How Does Technology Figure into Struggles over Power?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Ursula Franklin: The Real World of Technology
Michel Foucault: Truth and Power
David M. Kaplan: How to Read Technology Critically
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The world has experienced power struggles ever since the existence of man. These struggles have been discussed variously by different authors. The advent of technology has also been integrated in the power struggles being experienced in the world.

This paper shall offer a discussion on the manner in which technology has figured into struggles over power. In the discussion, the paper shall incorporate Michel Foucault’s theory of power, and offer a difference between “prescriptive” and “holistic” technologies as presented by Ursula Franklin. The concepts of David M. Kaplan regarding technology shall also be considered.

Ursula Franklin: The Real World of Technology

In her work entitled “The Real World of Technology”, Franklin engages practical and ideological aspects of technology in trying to conceptualise the manner in which technology impacts on the social relations at different levels. She also sought to redefine the aspect of power and accountability.

Technology is regarded as something that involves various aspects such as organisation, procedures, and a mind-set among other aspects. It has been observed that technology developed in two ways. The first way is the aspect of technology that relates to work that allow for the actual practice. On the other hand, the control-based technologies that are meant to enhance control over the operations (Franklin, 1999).

Most importantly, Franklin establishes two forms of technological development. These forms of technology emanates from the relationship between the initiator and consumer of the technology. In this respect, she came up with the “holistic” technologies and “prescriptive” technologies (Franklin, 1999). This has been supported by assertions that analysis of various societies and cultures across the world.

The holistic technologies enable the initiator and the user of technology to be in control. On the other hand, the prescriptive technologies ensure that individuals are confined to certain functions in using the technology (Franklin, 1999). Technology has been incorporated into the capitalistic developments that are characterised in the modern world.

This is in respect to the component of division labour inherent in the capitalistic society. In this respect, technology plays a vital role in the reorganisation and ordering of the society. This has affected the relationships among social groups, nations, individuals, and the environment (Franklin, 1999).

Franklin asserts that technology disrupts humanity, and may destroy the society if left unchecked. This has been illustrated through the emphasis on the impacts that technology has had on various societies. Franklin advises individuals to be cautious in adopting new technologies. She calls upon the human society to come together and actively engage in the debate surrounding technological aspects to curb their influence (Franklin, 1999).

Michel Foucault: Truth and Power

Michel Foucault’s “Truth and Power” is a re-examination of the past theoretical developments and various aspects concerning his personal life. In the interviews, Foucault touches on various fields in which he is involved. His ideologies cut across various subjects including literature, psychology, labour issues, sociology, and politics among other subjects (Foucault, 1984). Nonetheless, a lot of emphasis has been put on the flow of power and power relations.

In the opening part, Foucault is asked to provide information regarding his past ideologies. He is also asked to explain the trend of his career. On his part, he starts by giving information on asylums. He went on to establish theoretical frameworks leaning towards the leftist French politics.

He also went on to evaluate other sciences thereby establishing the aspect of discontinuity. He seems to have been targeting to indicate the susceptibility of the sciences and scientific accounts to the forces of power (Foucault, 1984). Notably, he argued:

At this level, it’s not so much a matter of knowing what external power imposes itself on science, as of what effects of power circulate among scientific statements, what constitutes, as it were, their internal regime of power, and how and why at certain moments that regime undergoes a global modification (Foucault, 1984, p. 53-4).

In respect to structuralism, Foucault was against the concept arguing that structuralism leads to devaluation of events while organising the society. The advocates of structuralism tend to avoid the anomalous events that do not rhyme with the coherent structure of the society. According to Foucault, the chaotic events can be explained as conflicts of power.

He also sees all historical events as emanating from power exchanges. Foucault maintains his focus on the analysis of the ebb and flow of power. The society is regarded as a wide web in which power is focussed in the higher stratum. Foucault likened the exchange of power to aggressive dominance. However, it is not easy to determine the fighting parties since this seems to be the war where everyone is involved. In this regard, power flow is simultaneous and in various directions (Foucault, 1984).

The ideas presented by Foucault seem to be ultra-high complex and full of political intrigues. He views scientists and those who continue being bound by their disciplines as “specific” intellectuals whereas those that knows no bounds as “universal” intellectuals (Foucault, 1984).

David M. Kaplan: How to Read Technology Critically

David makes use of narrative theory in developing an approach to interpret technical artefacts. Kaplan noted that stories related to technology follow the narrative theory premise. However, when it comes to technology, there is a shift in focus where artefacts are put in the foreground rather than the background as the case in other instances. Also, the artefacts are regarded as protagonists, as opposed to supports. In this respect, Kaplan takes an examination on what occurs to the comprehension of technology.

According to Kaplan, the outcomes are dependent upon the way individuals are able to tell and read things. Therefore, there is a significant difference that can be observed between critical and conventional reading in respect to technology (Kaplan, 2009).

Kaplan observed that the main distinction rests on the association between two paradigms. These are the universal and the specific on one hand and acontextual and contextual (Kaplan, 2009). This is evident within the narrative and critical theories. The narrative theory lacks an enhanced theory of truth and moral right and is associated with the production of conventional and contextualised readings.

On the other hand, a narrative theory can be associated with the production of critical readings. Kaplan asserts that technology must be narrated and read within the concepts that are acceptable universally. Such concepts include truth, impartiality and equality. The theory proposed by Kaplan is meant to evaluate technical aspects, as well as systems in regard to the role they play in the achievement of social justice and happiness (Kaplan, 2009).

Conclusion

The aspect of power is inherent in all human societies. The advent of technology has brought a new twist to the concept of power struggle among the human society. The authors, Ursula Franklin, Michel Foucault, and David M. Kaplan, have given their opinion on how technology has been integrated in the concept of power struggle.

References

Franklin, U. (1999). The Real World of Technology. Toronto: Anansi Press.

Foucault, M. (1984). Truth and Power. In P. Rabinow (Eds). The Foucault Reader. New York: Pantheon.

Kaplan, D. M. (2009). How to Read Technology Critically. In J.-K. B. Olsen, S. Riis & E. Selinger (Eds). New waves in Philosophy of Technology. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.

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