At 03:33 PM 5/21/97 -0700, Jim wrote: >I think that in most cases the planners are pursuing their own career goals >subject to the constraints put on them by the large number of competing >interest groups. In our society, of course, the main shared characteristic >of most of these interest groups (especially the powerful ones) is >profit-seeking and the preservation of the societal status quo. >[...] > >Both the pressure from the business class and the need to cloak planning in >the mystique of expertise encourage undemocratic ways. Planners are also driven by a desire for power. Back in the 70s, there was a spate of writings about "democratically-controlled" clinics and the like, and what they reported time and again was that given half a chance, professionals will use their expertise to grab as much power as possible. It's a very serious problem for any attempt at democratic planning, whether at the local or national level (an issue I remember Lenin smartly addressed in an essay back before he came into power). Anders Schneiderman Progressive Communications
