This paper attempts to develop a framework to clarify some of the processes which take place in rural technological change. It moves beyond an acceptable description of dynamic interaction, towards a model based on states of dynamic disequilibrium, where analysis needs to focus on the forces which move the economy and give rise to changes in resource use and social welfare. An attempt has been made to model a part of what goes on inside the ‘black box’ of technical and institutional innovation: especially the way in which different private, government and non‐government organizations interact over time, and how their aims and objectives are reflected through the dynamics of the mechanization process. Some lessons for practitioners involved in technological change are proposed, which may act as guidelines for policy analysis and implementation.

This article provides a case study of the controversy surrounding the regulation of agricultural biotechnology in the European Union. It interprets the recent struggles surrounding attempts to license Bovine Somatotropin (BST), a synthesised hormone which increases dairy production, in relation to the claims of contemporary social theorists relating to the concept -of 'reflexive modernisation'. In this example of a late modern policy debate, existing regulatory and political institutions have had limited success in resolving conflict. In a context characterised by a general incapacity for institutional learning and development, it is argued that the European Parliament has provided a significant focus for debate. eet article rend compte d'une etude de cas de la po/emique autour de la reg/ementation concernant la biotechnique dans l'agriculture au sein de I'europe. II analyse les luttes recentes pour autoriser l'emPloi de l'hormone de synthese Bovine Somatotropin (BST) qui augmente la production laitiere, par rapport aux revendications des theoristes sociaux contemporains au sujet de 'Ia modernisation reflechie'. Dans cet exemple d'un debat de politique moderne recente, les institutions actuelles politiques et regulatrices ont eu un succes limite dans la resolution du conflit. Dans un contexte caracterise par une incapacite genera/e des institutions Q apprendre et Q se deve/opper, on affirme que Ie par/ement europeen a (ourn; un lieu important pour les debats.