Science and Technology for Citizenship or Socio-Technical Appropriateness for the People?

The paper discusses how Science, Technology and Society are being addressed in Latin American circles dedicated to analyzing S&T and higher education policies. It rejects the view that supposes that they are able to improve the living conditions of society. It also criticizes others views that see "appropriation of knowledge," "public understanding of science" and "public participation in science" as a solution. It is based on the notion that scientific and technological knowledge, as it exists today, is not able to promote an alternative style of development, especially when the analytical and intentional focus is the Latin American context. The argument expressed in the title emphasizes the idea that our potential to develop S&T should be driven by interests and values that are compatible with the concept of a people, and with their participation in the production of knowledge. Only in this way - it is argued - can the proposal of "well-intentioned but naive," put forth by colleagues who uphold the banner of " Science and Technology for Citizenship," be realized.