National Science and International Policy

Abstract

The relationships between science and environmental policy are many and various. At different times scientific findings and theories have been used to arouse public concern, identify problems, mobilize political forces, suggest solutions and indicate the pattern of cause and effect relations governing a particular portion of the natural world. Conversely, governments have wished to use the power of organized science, either as part of its own bureaucratic apparatus or acting as independent and impartial advisers in the form of councils of experts or commissions of inquiry, to provide evidence on policy options, anticipate effects and report on the current state of understanding (see Caldwell, 1990, pp. 21–37 for a discussion of some of these functions). Other, less innocent, forms of relationship have no doubt existed, including selective attention to policy advice coming from scientific advisers by key decision makers, the use of scientific uncertainty to disguise the pursuit of self-interest in international negotiations and the hubris of scientists in thinking that technical capacity could substitute for democratic judgement.

Hereby it is manifest, that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war, as is of every man, against every man. … Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every man is enemy to every man; the same is consequent to the time, wherein men live without other security, than what their own strength, and their own invention shall furnish them withal. In such a condition, there is … no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters … (Hobbes, 1651, p. 82)