ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the ways in which science and technology are connected with contemporary social change in the West and in the underdeveloped world. It outlines two sociological interpretations of the nature of scientific knowledge. Both are opposed to the notion that science is a body of neutral expertise which develops largely immune from social influences. The constructionist clearly accepts that science and technology are the best resources we have for dealing with the natural world. Constructionism indicates how that scrutiny can best be channelled. Social constructionism, the second view, suggested that social influences could always be detected at the heart of scientific and technical judgements. The characteristic concern of political economy approach with overtly commercial and political influences can often direct analysts to issues of enormous practical significance. The constructionist's advice to look for the impact of social and political influences on apparently 'internal' scientific and medical issues surrounding the case is clearly of practical value in such instances.
