Standards and the transformations of modes of governing. Perspectives from Convention Theory

Résumé En

Economics and sociology of conventions (EC/SC), also known as convention theory, has long focused on standardization. Its founders played a significant, yet not entirely acknowledged, role in developing and establishing the predominantly Anglo-Saxon field of the sociology of standards. The EC/SC perspective on standards centers around the idea of "investments in forms", developed by Laurent Thévenot as part of a material approach to power and the coordination of action. From a convention theory perspective, the chapter discusses the importance of standards in understanding neoliberal globalization. Standards are advocated by both market and non-market entities to achieve legitimate coordination, comparability, and compatibility, bypassing the regulatory authority of the state. Thus, governing with the support of standards transforms into governance through standards. In the first section, the chapter further explores Thévenot's approach, focusing on his analysis of the neoliberal turn as standardizing liberalism. Thévenot's framework is then compared with other perspectives on the political implications of standardization and, more broadly, quantification within the EC/SC tradition. The discussion then shifts to contributions in convention theory that deal with standards in specific policy areas, such as health, education, and urban planning. These policy insights show how measurable standards and certifications can radically transform economic sectors, everyday life, and ordinary experiences. They also highlight the complexity of current developments related to datafication and digitalization and the contribution EC/SC can bring to this debate.