The Power of Secret Knowledge: The RAND Corporation, Ignorance Studies and Sociology

Abstract The following contribution is concerned with the relation of Dayé’s work on RAND Corporation during Cold War and field ignorance studies. In doing so, I aim to emphasise interconnection three central themes that pervade work: secrecy, ignorance, power. an era insecurity, marked by strategic attempts both sides obscure their own capabilities, a largely secretive organization emerged as reliable source knowledge, helping guide decision-making in uncertain times generate policy recommendations. This not only raises significant questions about power certain groups or individuals define what counts policy-guiding it also points form highly productive. It affords creation new knowledge practices, but becomes force itself mobilizes further ignorance. While these connections are implicit work, this study seeks bring them forefront explore dialogue classical sociological literature context seminal contributions order do will start brief elaboration secrecy surrounded conducted at corporation, alongside discussion notion elite canon sociology, then introduce From angle, how particular lies core workings studies might help better understand developing influence rule experts.