Science can be Both Used and Misused by Politics and Government - Literature review Example

SCIENCE CAN BE BOTH USED AND MISUSED BY POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION NAME DATE Scientific research is the key factor that policy makers use in making critical decisions. This implies that science is essential in day to day running of government affairs. In most cases, the governments require scientific research findings especially when making policy. However, this has become part of unnecessary debate on reliability of scientific research. Politicians have had different views with scientists all over the world. According to Choi, Pang, Puska, Lin, Goddard, Sharman & Clottey, (2005) observes that politicians and scientists have different goals, attitudes towards information. They argue that politics is all about influencing public. This enables politicians to remain relevant in public domain thus sustaining power. On the other hand, science has a different goal and perspective. Wesselink & Hoppe (2011) argues that science seeks to find solutions to existing problems. Every finding in the research is based on tests conducted thus forming a reliable opinion. Although there are some instances where politics and science agree, in most cases they are separated by goals and attitude. Politics is driven by power and influence while science is driven by existing need. This implies that scientific research is conducted as a result of pressing public need. It aims at analyzing the existing need with an aim of finding reliable solution. In this case, Boykoff & Olson (2013) describes science as a means to sustainable solutions unlike politics, which has no interest on its impact on future generation. However, scientific research can only benefit the society when there is political will to adopt the findings and implement suggestions. There are various areas where science and politics conflict. They include environmental issues and food security among others. Conservationists and politicians have had sharp confrontation throughout the world due to their diverse opinion on scientific research. Davison (2010) points out genetically modified plants are essential in combating hanger and creating sustainable food security. Several scientific research reports have confirmed this statement in full and governments are urged to embrace genetically modified plants. This has generated sharp argument across the world where politics differ with such observation. Politicians especially in less developed countries directly incite public against this particular invention. They draw their argument from perceived effect of genetically modified foods on personal health. Neylon (2012) draws sharp criticism to political interference in scientific inventions. The scholar argues that politicians aim at preventing general public from accessing the actual information. This kind of difference in mentality and goals between politicians and scientists Choi et al (2005), observes that it is the main cause of existing challenge in the globe. Some of the environmental issues that draw serious argument between science and politics include climate change and environmental pollution. The scientific research by Glicksman & Batzel, (2010) describes the main role of several assumptions in the adoption of pollution control milestone. They enumerate some of the positive steps the government is taking towards implantation of scientific research on environmental pollution control. Note that implementation of research findings has direct impact on human activity especially on environmental issues. Some are disciplinary to many people especially where several activities are discouraged such as irresponsible waste disposal. Industrial sector is mainly affected since industrial waste is among the causes of pollution. This attracts political interest since most politicians are stakeholders in industrial sector. By advocating for responsible industrial waste management, politics is attracted. This is because the suggestion has cost implication on industries thus affecting revenue projections. However, Force & Yamey (2010) argues that science is mainly responsible to the society. They exonerates fear factor brought by political interference on scientific research and invention. According to these scholars, science should focus on the societal needs but not political arguments. In this case, bottom line should be providing solution to the existing challenge for better livelihood. Supremacy battle between scientists and politicians exists since both parties have direct impact on people’s lives. This is the main reason why some countries remain poor while others prosper. There must be co-operation between science and politics especially where there is urgent need for critical decision. Scientific research is of no use if there is no political will and government commitment. Pierson & Skocpol (2011) confronts the issue of conflict between policy makers and scientists in clear perspective. They demonstrate the need for transformation in governance where scientific research is given attention. Transformation of American politics is highlighted thus pointing out why North America is able to steer sustainable development through scientific research. Policy makers ought to understand the main role of science in the society. Force & Yamey (2010) demonstrate why scientists should concentrate on existing needs in the society. According to them, people rely on scientific research and inventions for better livelihood and development. Politicians should therefore seek to push for implementation of research findings instead of fighting for supremacy. Government should use scientific research findings in policy formulation and implementation. This is because research findings are based on reliable feasibility study. In this case, every finding in the research is reasonable and practical. Instead of seeking political mileage through misleading argument, politicians should rise to reality and co-operate with scientists Glicksman & Batzel (2010). They should not view scientists as competitors but embrace them as integral part of development. It is clear at this point that science is often used and misused at the same time by politics and government. Some governments take deliberate effort in embracing science by incorporating research and innovation in day to day activities. Before making any critical decision, scientific research is commissioned and funded by the government. Such collaboration produces good governance since relevant authorities made reliable and accurate decision. Study by Glicksman & Batzel (2010) is a practical example on how government co-operates with scientists in policy making. Most developed countries regulate rate of political interference on scientific research. This deliberate action explains why they are able to initiate development projects thus benefiting general public including politicians. Besides utilization of science in policy and governance, it can also be misused by politics and government. Dessler & Parson (2009) address several instances where politics misuse scientific research on global issues like climate change. Most politicians across the world are opposed to research findings on climate change control. The issue of effects of climate change on economy has drawn diverging political views and to some extent, some governments express their unwillingness to co-operate. Implementation of research findings is always perceived as a cost. Politicians and governments in some countries use such findings to incite their people against scientists. A good example is scientific findings on effects of nuclear weapons. This is misused by targeted governments to create animosity between scientists and the public. Rands, Adams, Bennun, Butchart, Clements, Coomes & Vira (2010) also seek to emphasize on the negative impact of extensive misuse of science by politics and government in biodiversity conservation. Politicians and government can misuse science in various forms. Opposing the scientific findings is not the only form of misuse. Some policy makers are crafty enough to pretend to be supporting scientific research. This is where government commission scientific research but frustrates the process. This is where the government fails to either fund the research adequately or ignores its findings. Most less developed countries do not implement research findings thus wasting public funds in funding the same. They only do this to show the public that they are in support of scientific research. This situation is vividly explained by Rands et al (2010) by observing how policy makers fail to give much attention to research and innovation. By addressing the need to adopt scientific innovation in combating hunger, Davison (2010) emphasizes on importance of embracing genetically modified plants. This study being solution oriented with an aim of helping less developed nations attain millennium development goals, it has attracted unnecessary politics. Most politicians take advantage of public illiteracy to issue misleading opinion towards this research. While some have greatly benefitted from this scientific innovation, others are misusing the information to gain political power. Rands et al (2010) expressed the same idea in the area of biodiversity conservation. This is attributed to inadequate literacy since higher percentage of population in less developed countries does not have sufficient information. Consequently, people are misled by politicians due to high level of trust they have towards them. This is extreme misuse of science at the expense of general public. Science, politics and government are equally responsible to the society. Each unit should ensure that it plays its role responsibly. Besides, all of them should embrace accountability in their deliberations. To achieve this end, collaboration between science, politics and government is vital. Both politicians and government need scientists to make reliable decision. Where this is applied, there are tangible benefits to the public and where policy makers do not embrace this co-operation, poverty and bad governance is evident. Proper advocacy for application of science in solving biting challenges in the society. Less developed countries lag behind governance issues due to unhealthy politics and conflicts between government and scientists. Such governments should base supremacy on their efforts to improve people’s lives through research and innovation. List of References Boykoff, M. T., & Olson, S. K. (2013). ‘Wise contrarians’: a keystone species in contemporary climate science, politics and policy. Celebrity studies, 4(3), 276-291. Choi, B. C., Pang, T., Lin, V., Puska, P., Sherman, G., Goddard, M., ... & Clottey, C. (2005). Can scientists and policy makers work together? Journal of Epidemiology and community health, 59(8), 632-637. Davison, J. (2010). GM plants: Science, politics and EC regulations. Plant Science, 178(2), 94-98. Dessler, A., & Parson, E. A. (2009). The science and politics of global climate change: A guide to the debate. Cambridge University Press. Force, T., & Yamey, G. (2010). Science Must Be Responsible to Society, Not to Politics.- science, politics and government. Forsyth, T. (2013). Critical political ecology: The politics of environmental science. Routledge. Glicksman, R. L., & Batzel, M. R. (2010). Science, politics, law and the arc of the Clean Water Act: The role of assumptions in the adoption of a pollution control landmark. Washington University Journal of Law & Policy. Harmon, M. E., Birdsey, R. A., Giardina, C. P., Heath, L. S., Houghton, R. A., Jackson, R. B. ... & Skog, K. E. (2010). A synthesis of the science on forests and carbon for US forests. Ecological Society of America. Kelly, F. P. (2011). Reversibility and stochastic networks. Cambridge University Press. Neylon, C. (2012). Science publishing: open access must enable open use. Nature, 492(7429), 348-349. Pierson, P., & Skocpol, T. (Eds.). (2011). The transformation of American politics: activist government and the rise of conservatism. Princeton University Press. Rands, M. R., Adams, W. M., Bennun, L., Butchart, S. H., Clements, A., Coomes, D., ... & Vira, B. (2010). Biodiversity conservation: challenges beyond 2010. Science, 329(5997), 1298-1303. Repetto, R., & Gillis, M. (Eds.). (1988). Public policies and the misuse of forest resources. Cambridge University Press. Snow, C. P. (2013). Science and government. Harvard University Press. Wesselink, A., & Hoppe, R. (2011). If post-normal science is the solution, what is the problem?: The politics of activist environmental science. Science, Technology & Human Values, 36(3), 389-412. Read More

Politicians especially in less developed countries directly incite public against this particular invention. They draw their argument from perceived effect of genetically modified foods on personal health. Neylon (2012) draws sharp criticism to political interference in scientific inventions. The scholar argues that politicians aim at preventing general public from accessing the actual information. This kind of difference in mentality and goals between politicians and scientists Choi et al (2005), observes that it is the main cause of existing challenge in the globe.

Some of the environmental issues that draw serious argument between science and politics include climate change and environmental pollution. The scientific research by Glicksman & Batzel, (2010) describes the main role of several assumptions in the adoption of pollution control milestone. They enumerate some of the positive steps the government is taking towards implantation of scientific research on environmental pollution control. Note that implementation of research findings has direct impact on human activity especially on environmental issues.

Some are disciplinary to many people especially where several activities are discouraged such as irresponsible waste disposal. Industrial sector is mainly affected since industrial waste is among the causes of pollution. This attracts political interest since most politicians are stakeholders in industrial sector. By advocating for responsible industrial waste management, politics is attracted. This is because the suggestion has cost implication on industries thus affecting revenue projections.

However, Force & Yamey (2010) argues that science is mainly responsible to the society. They exonerates fear factor brought by political interference on scientific research and invention. According to these scholars, science should focus on the societal needs but not political arguments. In this case, bottom line should be providing solution to the existing challenge for better livelihood. Supremacy battle between scientists and politicians exists since both parties have direct impact on people’s lives.

This is the main reason why some countries remain poor while others prosper. There must be co-operation between science and politics especially where there is urgent need for critical decision. Scientific research is of no use if there is no political will and government commitment. Pierson & Skocpol (2011) confronts the issue of conflict between policy makers and scientists in clear perspective. They demonstrate the need for transformation in governance where scientific research is given attention.

Transformation of American politics is highlighted thus pointing out why North America is able to steer sustainable development through scientific research. Policy makers ought to understand the main role of science in the society. Force & Yamey (2010) demonstrate why scientists should concentrate on existing needs in the society. According to them, people rely on scientific research and inventions for better livelihood and development. Politicians should therefore seek to push for implementation of research findings instead of fighting for supremacy.

Government should use scientific research findings in policy formulation and implementation. This is because research findings are based on reliable feasibility study. In this case, every finding in the research is reasonable and practical. Instead of seeking political mileage through misleading argument, politicians should rise to reality and co-operate with scientists Glicksman & Batzel (2010). They should not view scientists as competitors but embrace them as integral part of development.

It is clear at this point that science is often used and misused at the same time by politics and government. Some governments take deliberate effort in embracing science by incorporating research and innovation in day to day activities. Before making any critical decision, scientific research is commissioned and funded by the government.

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