Mega-projects and Global Projects: Science between Utopia and Technocracy

Abstract

The article demonstrates how the science and technology studies include nowadays the analysis of
political, economic, cultural and ideological contexts and extend the idea of science as the backbone of largescale social projects. The latter, often referred to as the mega-projects are characterized by a paradoxical
nature. Despite permanent cost overruns and the fatal benefi t shortfalls, mega-projects continue to be
fi nanced by the public and private investors. The article offers a resolution of this paradox by distinguishing
between mega-projects (which more accurate calculation can improve effi ciency) and global projects that
contain an inherent element of utopia and relating not only to the economy but also to the broader sphere of
sociality, culture and worldview. In this case, the criticism of utopian global projects from the perspective
of K. Popper’s social engineering and adaptive management is questionable, and any global historical
event appears as hiding the human projectivity and unanticipated spontaneity. As an example of the global
project, the history of the Karakum Canal is analyzed going back to the era of Peter the Great and various
connections to Russian philosophical and literary tradition.