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The Political-Knowledge Regime in Action: Science and politics in the response to COVID-19 in Uruguay (2020-2021)

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Vol. 9 No. 2 (2023): julio - noviembre 2023
https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-6296.2023.70751

Abstract

The struggle between technocracy and democracy spans centuries and borders. However, in each country, this struggle takes a specific form that characterizes it, and has been defined as the Political Knowledge Regime (PKR). This article illustrates how the PKR is and how it works in Uruguay by analyzing the response of the government led by the President Luis Lacalle Pou to COVID 19 pandemic. In particular, it examines the relationship between the government and the Honorary Scientific Advisory Group that supported it between April 2020 and June 2021. The cycle of this advisory group (installation, convergence, divergence, dissolution) shows that in Uruguay, even in times of great uncertainty, government decisions and public policies are not delegated to experts. Uruguay's response to COVID 19 pandemic also invites us to deepen our understanding of how scientific knowledge should be used in democratic societies. Scientific knowledge is uncertain, incomplete, and more value-laden than its contributors would like. Science is essential, but it must be subject to rigorous citizen scrutiny.

Keywords:

politics and expertice, political-knolodge regime, COVID-19, Uruguay, Lacalle Pou

Author Biography

Adolfo Garcé García y Santos, Universidad de la República

Doctor en Ciencia Política (UdelaR). Profesor Titular en el Departamento de Ciencia Política (FCS-UdelaR).

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How to Cite
Garcé García y Santos, A. (2023). The Political-Knowledge Regime in Action: Science and politics in the response to COVID-19 in Uruguay (2020-2021). Journal Studies of Public Policy, 9(2), 66–84. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-6296.2023.70751
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Journal Studies of Public Policy
Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas
Universidad de Chile
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