Technocratic Calculation: Economy, Evidence and Experiments

The chapter takes up the technocratic preoccupation with quantification, measurement and scientific politics. While this is a consistent feature of technocratic governance, the proliferation of performance management, accountability and evaluation systems, evidence-based policy and experimental learning also reflect a new commitment to radical incrementalism and a ‘what works’ approach, which is significantly different from earlier and industrial technocracy. The chapter illustrates the implications of this development in the cases of experimental EU governance and nudging interventions.