Between Politics and Science: Assuring the Integrity and Productivity of Reseach

This book combines political-economic, sociological and historical approaches to provide a coherent framework for analysing the changing relationship between politics and science in the United States. Fundamental to this relationship are problems of delegation, especially the integrity and productivity of sponsored research: politicians must see that research is conducted with integrity and productivity, and scientists must be able to show it. A science policy regime changes when solutions to these problems change. After World War II, the ‘social contract for science’ assumed that the integrity and productivity of research were automatic and, despite many challenges, that contract endured for four decades. However in the 1980s, as rich empirical studies show, cases of misconduct in science and flagging economic performance broke the trust between politics and science. New ‘boundary organizations’, in which scientists and nonscientists collaborate to assure the integrity and productivity of research, were created to mend the relationship.

• Interdisciplinary approach introduces students to important theoretical and analytical concepts (principal-agent theory, constructivism) and applies them in policy setting • Provides both historical and contemporary perspectives on problems in science policy

Tables and figures; Abbreviations; Preface; Introduction: making space for science policy; 1. Science policy: structure and boundaries; 2. Understanding the social contract for science; 3. Challenges to the social contract for science; 4. Assuring the integrity of research; 5. Assuring the productivity of research; 6. Between politics and science; Notes; References; Index.

Don K. Price Award 2002 - Winner

‘A skilfully argued and provocative formulation of the American experience … yields … insights into the complexities of the American experience in the relations between science and government.’ Nature