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Translating the Translators:Following the Development of Actor-Network Theory

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Translating the Translators:Following the Development of Actor-Network Theory Translating the Translators: Following the Development of Actor-Network Theory Susanna Evarts First Reader: Cornel Ban, PhD, JD Second Reader: Gianpaolo Baiocchi, PhD Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of BACHELOR OF ARTS in DEVELOPMENT STUDIES Development Studies Brown University April 15, 2011 __________________________________ SUSANNA EVARTS __________________________________ Cornel Ban, PhD, JD __________________________________ Gianpaolo Baiocchi, PhD © Susanna Evarts, 2011 Abstract In this thesis, I will trace the development and spread of Actor-Network Theory (ANT), which emerged as a way of studying technological change and innovation in the early 1980s and was conceived of by three main theorists: Bruno Latour, Michel Callon, and John Law. Since then, however, it has evolved and been used in many disciplines, which has fundamentally changed to what and how it is employed. There have been few previous studies that examine its spread using empirical methods, and the ones that do, only focus on one particular sub-discipline. As such, little is actually known about how ANT moved from its initial birthplace in Europe to become one of the most influential approaches in Science and Technology Studies (STS). Additionally, while ANT first started in Europe, it is cited most in the United States, a phenomenon that has also eluded previous research. This study is important to the field of Development Studies, as both are inherently interdisciplinary approaches to studying a heterogeneous mix of entities. Additionally, ANT has much to offer Development Studies research; in particular ANT’s reconceptualization of how power becomes enacted, which forces the researcher to avoid short cuts in explaining inequalities and identities is quite relevant to development research. By eschewing structuralist approaches that tend to fall into the macro/micro trap, ANT is able to track how and where power inequalities and “systemic” inequalities reside. Such research moves slowly, but can elucidate much about power that is often taken for granted. Three different methods were used to trace ANT’s progression and transition: the first catalogued and described the intellectual development and internal translations of ANT; the second used a bibliometric analysis to follow the actors carrying ANT from one country, discipline, or year to another; and finally, the third method involved interviewing people familiar with ANT on how they thought ANT did or did not fit into their discipline, institution, and personal research. The bibliometric analysis traces scholarly publications that have cited at least one of Callon, Latour, or Law’s works from 1973 to 2010. Across all countries, I followed the actors, finding that ANT was cited moderately during the 1980s, significantly during the 1990s, and super significantly during the 2000s. Additionally, I parse out the changes over time within the United States on how ANT has been cited in different localities, subject areas, institutions, and journals. I find that there are similarities between all three authors in terms of where, when, and by whom they are cited, falling along disciplinary, institutional, and academic journal lines. The goal of this thesis is to add to the base of knowledge of ANT, along with help to instigate further interest in and awareness of ANT’s role in many disciplines. As it has much to offer the Development Studies field, I am to provide a sort of travel guide for future students and researchers that wish to introduce the two disciplines. Table of Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................ v CHAPTER 1: Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Research Question ................................................................................................................................. 4 Literature Review .................................................................................................................................. 5 Bibliometric/Citation Analysis ............................................................................................... 5 The Use of Citation Counts ............................................................................................................. 6 Applicability of Citation Counts for this Study ................................................................................ 11 Previous Studies on ANT’s Dispersion ................................................................................. 14 Case Selection and Methodology ........................................................................................................... 17 Why Care? .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Limitations and Proposed Thesis Structure ............................................................................................ 20 CHAPTER 2: The Theoretical Evolution and Translations of ANT .................................. 23 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Actors, Networks, and Theory .............................................................................................................. 24 Genealogy of ANT by Way of STS ....................................................................................................... 26 Prelude to an Inter-discipline, or the Beginnings of STS ........................................................ 27 Structural Functionalism ...................................................................................................... 32 The Kuhnian Revolution ..................................................................................................... 34 The Strong Programme ........................................................................................................ 35 Studies on Technology ......................................................................................................... 37 Science and Technology Studies (STS) ................................................................................. 39 Social Construction ............................................................................................................. 41 Evolution Within ANT ........................................................................................................................ 42 Formation of a Heterogeneous Network, or Beginnings up to ANT 1990 .............................. 43 Expansion of a Heterogeneous Network, or ANT 1990 to Post-ANT .................................... 48 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 54 CHAPTER 3: ANT’s Transatlantic Voyage ................................................................ 61 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 61 Methodology and Case Selection ........................................................................................................... 63 On ANT’s Spread Across Time ............................................................................................................. 66 On ANT’s International Travels ........................................................................................................... 68 On ANT’s Disciplinary Moves ............................................................................................................. 70 Specific Subject Areas ........................................................................................................................... 75 Sociology ............................................................................................................................ 75 History and Philosophy of Science ....................................................................................... 76 Geography .......................................................................................................................... 77 Management ....................................................................................................................... 78 Environmental Studies ......................................................................................................... 79 Information Science and Library Science .............................................................................. 80 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 81 CHAPTER 4: ANTs in the U.S. Academic Melting Pot ................................................. 85 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 85 i Methodology and Case Selection ........................................................................................................... 86 Temporal Diffusion of ANT within the United States ............................................................................. 88 Subject
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