Spårvägen längs (expert)kunskapsstråket

Sammanfattning: This thesis examines the fundamental problem of expert knowledge and science in democracies. It does so by a critical discourse analysis of the case about tramway in Lund and the question it searches to answer is how the group “experts” were constructed. To answer this question a division of theories regarding the question of expert knowledge and science in democracies are used. The theories could be divided into “the second wave” and “the third wave” and reflects different views on the boundary between politics and science. The thesis analyses to which extent the two views were reflected in the case of tramway in Lund and moreover, discusses which consequences that followed on the democracy. The analyse points towards that the group “experts” were constructed in relation to several technical discourses where scientists and consultants were considered to have the ability to deliver the “right” answer. This construction mainly reflects the social practices of “the third wave”. Although the case might not be representative for Lund municipality, the discussion of the result points towards the conclusion that this construction of “experts” affected the democracy negatively. Nevertheless, the result indicates a further need of studies about expert knowledge and science in democracies.