The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The origin of the Special topic

Karsten Weber; Markus Bresinsky

doi:10.14512/tatup.7305

Authors

Karsten Weber Institute for Social Research and Technology Assessment, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Regensburg (DE) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8875-2386 karsten.weber@oth-regensburg.de
Markus Bresinsky Department of International Politics and Social Sciences, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Regensburg (DE) markus.bresinsky@oth-regensburg.de

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.7305

Keywords:

technology assessment, warfare, military technology, dual use, politics

Abstract

In this introduction to the Special topic on future warfare from the perspective of technology assessment (TA), guest editors Markus Bresinsky and Karsten Weber describe how the idea for the Special topic developed, what contributions they expected, and why it seems important that the TA community reflects on its role in assessing the impacts and repercussions of weapons technology on individuals, societies, and the environment. This reflection on its own role, the authors argue, must be informed by the current state of global affairs. Regardless of whether TA is seen as an honest broker or an issue advocate – it cannot stand aside and ignore the many challenges posed by rapid change, or even massive deterioration, in international relations. In order to reflect on its own role, it must team up with scientists from other disciplines and practitioners from all professions.

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