Networks of knowledge and the formation of sustainable development

This dissertation analyzes paradigmatic changes in the field of sociology of development knowledge. It demonstrates that the process of knowledge formation has a life cycle of three inter-related phases. During the conceptualization phase, a new paradigm is conceptualized from the contention associated with the sociability of academic experts over a period of time. This stage is followed by the promotion and, eventual, institutionalization of knowledge into a dominant policy discourse. During these last two stages, academic experts take a supportive role to leading public intellectuals who have the prestige and connections to leverage new ideas. Whether or not paradigms become institutionalized into development policies depends to a great extend on the persistent social ties of public intellectuals promoting the new view. Ties among public intellectuals are referred to as networks of knowledge. Networks of knowledge are more decentralized than other social ties because of the fungability of knowledge.