Swedish nuclear waste management as an inert controversy: using critical constructivism to understand cold technological conflict

Science and technology studies (STS) has long studied scientific controversies as a way to identify prospects for technical democracy. Contemporary STS tends prioritize ‘overflowing’ controversies, where lay actors challenge experts’ frameworks by explicating the broader implications so open up technological issues. Yet many are not like this; they operate on largely register within official procedures, remain implicit. In case of Swedish nuclear waste management major controversy did overflow presents an opportunity elaborate theoretically such ‘inert’ controversies. Crucial insights can come from Andrew Feenberg’s critical constructivism – alloy Frankfurt School. It help explain why some inert what is at stake there, regardless actors’ actions statements. To make these contributions, needs emphasize its heritage. As with contemporary in STS, increasingly study how change happens, expense status quo maintained. Through idea ‘structural closure’ be closed hegemonic structures addressed constructivism, thus enriching STS.