Bruce Bimber is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"This is a very nice piece of work on a government agency that deserved to be better known and appreciated, because it was one of the great success stories of modern American governmental innovation. The book will appeal to political scientists who seek an understanding of how Congress works and to all interested in how governments and politicians make use of scientific advice." — Sanford Lakoff, University of California at San Diego"This is the most insightful and persuasive account of the way experts interact with politicians. Bruce Bimber's absorbing tale of the success—and demise—of the Office of Technology Assessment will fascinate everyone interested in the labyrinth of legislative policymaking. He throws light on most of the nooks and crannies of lawmaking to show how information drives the legislative process. In the process, he is able to show that 'neutral competence' is a necessary, though not sufficient, part of policymaking."

• Preface Chapter 1Knowledge and Power Chapter 2A Theory of the Politicization of Expertise Chapter 3OTA: "The Office of WHAT?" Chapter 4Building OTA: The Separation of Powers Chapter 5Saving OTA: Party Politics and the Strategy of Neutrality Chapter 6Sustaining OTA: Committee Politics and the Strategy of Neutrality Chapter 7Abolishing OTA: Budget Politics in the 104th Congress Chapter 8The Other Congressional Support Agencies Chapter 9Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

Bruce Bimber is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"This is a very nice piece of work on a government agency that deserved to be better known and appreciated, because it was one of the great success stories of modern American governmental innovation. The book will appeal to political scientists who seek an understanding of how Congress works and to all interested in how governments and politicians make use of scientific advice." — Sanford Lakoff, University of California at San Diego"This is the most insightful and persuasive account of the way experts interact with politicians. Bruce Bimber's absorbing tale of the success—and demise—of the Office of Technology Assessment will fascinate everyone interested in the labyrinth of legislative policymaking. He throws light on most of the nooks and crannies of lawmaking to show how information drives the legislative process. In the process, he is able to show that 'neutral competence' is a necessary, though not sufficient, part of policymaking."

• Preface Chapter 1Knowledge and Power Chapter 2A Theory of the Politicization of Expertise Chapter 3OTA: "The Office of WHAT?" Chapter 4Building OTA: The Separation of Powers Chapter 5Saving OTA: Party Politics and the Strategy of Neutrality Chapter 6Sustaining OTA: Committee Politics and the Strategy of Neutrality Chapter 7Abolishing OTA: Budget Politics in the 104th Congress Chapter 8The Other Congressional Support Agencies Chapter 9Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

Bruce Bimber is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"This is a very nice piece of work on a government agency that deserved to be better known and appreciated, because it was one of the great success stories of modern American governmental innovation. The book will appeal to political scientists who seek an understanding of how Congress works and to all interested in how governments and politicians make use of scientific advice." — Sanford Lakoff, University of California at San Diego"This is the most insightful and persuasive account of the way experts interact with politicians. Bruce Bimber's absorbing tale of the success—and demise—of the Office of Technology Assessment will fascinate everyone interested in the labyrinth of legislative policymaking. He throws light on most of the nooks and crannies of lawmaking to show how information drives the legislative process. In the process, he is able to show that 'neutral competence' is a necessary, though not sufficient, part of policymaking."

• Preface Chapter 1Knowledge and Power Chapter 2A Theory of the Politicization of Expertise Chapter 3OTA: "The Office of WHAT?" Chapter 4Building OTA: The Separation of Powers Chapter 5Saving OTA: Party Politics and the Strategy of Neutrality Chapter 6Sustaining OTA: Committee Politics and the Strategy of Neutrality Chapter 7Abolishing OTA: Budget Politics in the 104th Congress Chapter 8The Other Congressional Support Agencies Chapter 9Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index