Fantasy, values, and identity in biofuel innovation: Examining the promise of Jatropha for Indonesia

This paper addresses how fantasies of Jatropha impact research and innovation and how actors' values shape Indonesia's biofuel trajectory. The paper develops an analytical framework that combines the concepts of technological fantasies and normative values. In other words, this study utilizes dimensions of fantasies to elaborate how heterogeneous actors became embroiled in Jatropha innovation. At the same time, the study investigates the presence of various normative values, such as faith in technocracy and beliefs regarding developmentalism, that emerged in and through actors' multifarious involvement with biofuel. The analysis indicates that Jatropha innovation in Indonesia was intricately shaped by beliefs cutting across governance and governmentality, alienation and marginalization. The paper places these observations within the wider context of science and technology studies and, more particularly, within the issue of fantasy and innovation practices in energy technology adoption, use, and policy.