A critical reflection of skepticism towards science and democracy in Austria

This study examines the extent to which the Austrian population is skeptical about science and democracy. Furthermore, it considers what the possible reasons for any skepticism might be and in which areas actions could be taken to improve the situation. It builds on a mixed-methods approach including a literature review of relevant social science research, a historical analysis, a secondary analysis of survey data, expert interviews, focus groups, and a stakeholder workshop. The study shows that a large share of Austrians expresses high levels of trust and support for science and democracy. However, different forms of criticism exist throughout the population, and these can be observed across all societal groups. Negative comments tend to focus on assumptions about: the practical implementation of science and democracy, links to politics, and specific technological domains. Around 10% of the population contradicts or rejects scientific knowledge on a broader scale. Our study shows that science skepticism and negative perceptions of democracy are linked, and that they are related to broader question about the role of science in society.