Neglecting Science Policy

The Conversations with History Archive http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/has recently posted four new interviews that identify factors contributing to a breakdown of U.S. global leadership in science policy.  This failure has long term consequences for the United States, and future historians will place great emphasis on the choices made by the Bush Administration that contributed to this result. For political and ideological reasons and because of its narrow interpretation of the requirements of national security, the administration has failed to understand both the importance of science and the contribution it can make to economic well being and national security.  Under President George W. Bush, the United States has failed to see that global pre-eminence in science requires openness and the movement of ideas and people across national borders.  The Conversations with History interview with Russian Nobel Laureate Zhores Alferov  http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people5/Alferov/alferov-con0.html offers important insight into how his discovery of the semiconductor heterostructure was heavily shaped by his ability to participate in global scientific exchanges even during the Cold War.  His denial of a visa to the U.S. during the Bush administration was a striking indication of the subtle ways in which doors were closing when it comes to the free movement of ideas and people undermining the U.S. position as the hub of world science.  The Conversations With History interview with former MIT President Charles M. Vest http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people5/Vest/vest-con0.html includes discussion of the challenges to the great American research universities posed by ill informed government restrictions following 911.  Government actions did not identify the real threats to national security and had the potential of undermining university research and teaching.   An interview with the Prime Minister Tony Blair's Science Advisor Sir David King http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people5/King/king-con0.html provides a useful discussion of the contribution that science can make to government policy in democracies when it is thoughtfully integrated into the government's agenda. Science can identify long term dangers and contribute to the shaping of effective policy responses.    The Clyde Prestowitz interview http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people5/Prestowitz/prestowitz-con0.html discusses recent failures to focus on science education as part of an effective economic strategy that is a prerequisite for successful U.S. competition with emerging economic powers such as China and India.