EUROPEAN TA-DISCOURSES - EUROPEAN TA

Is there a balance to be achieved between national technological asses sment (TA) activities and the European level? What are the potential b enefits of the European-level TA infrastructure both for the Community 's own R&D and for national TA activities? This article discusses thes e questions in light of the different ways TA has been conceptualized in Europe, particularly in the light of the current debate on social s haping of technology and constructive TA. As a member of the VALUE II Think Tank group, I have also included a presentation of the initiativ es of VALUE II to strengthen European TA infrastructure.