Expertise

Expertise refers to knowledge, skills and/or proficiencies that enable purposively rational actions. It is achieved as part of a social process, namely the inclusion in a network of carriers of expertise, and is attributed to its bearers by others (relational phenomenon). Expertise – particularly scientific expertise – is of importance especially for liberal democracies to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens and to enable rational political decision-making that may be legitimised. However, due to the complexity and specialisation of scientific knowledge, scientific expertise cannot find its way into political decision-making processes and political communication easily.