Science, Technology and the Development Process
Science and technology are important inputs to political and economic development
They perform a significant role in the development of the state and of the economy
In this context, the scientist became an important national resource for development
However….
There is a perception that most scientists find difficulty in becoming useful in identifying solutions
Scientists are seen by some to be isolated in their ivory towers and detached from the problems of the real world, thereby rendering them irrelevant to the policy-making process
Serious problems that need solutions
Poverty – problem of economic security
Political conflict and violence – problem of political security
Agricultural resource degradation – problem of food security
Ecological destruction – problem of environmental security
The Role of the State
The State oversees the welfare of its citizen and is primarily responsible for finding solutions to these serious problems
Global context: These problems emerge in the context of globalization, wherein a global system could provide limits to the options of an independent and sovereign state like the Philippines
The Role of Civil Society
Traditionally, the state was considered to be the only institution with the sole responsibility to find solutions to problems
However, civil society institutions and non-government institutions, such as NGOs, as well as the private sector, have increasingly participated in the process as direct service providers as partners of the state in
development interventions
The “Essence” of Governance
Both the state and civil society are now involved in “governing” society to maintain social order and to address the problems of development
The Policy Process
Ideally, society responds to public problems through the formulation and implementation of public policy
Traditionally, the policy process has been usually seen as a domain of the politician
However, this is not entirely correct. The policy-making process involves the participation of other types of actors
The Policy Actors
The policy maker – usually an elected or appointed official; makes decisions on which policy to implement
The policy advocate – a member of civil society; influences the decision-making process
The policy analyst – an objective analyst; provides technical advice and recommendations
The Scientist as Policy Analyst
While there may be scientists who become politicians, and while some scientists become advocates, the natural domain of a scientist is policy analysis
Scientists have the technical capability to act as policy consultants, or to participate in technical policy working groups, and act as advisers to policy makers and even policy advocates
The Link between Science and Policy
It is of common knowledge that development problems require both political as well as technological solutions
Ideally, scientific knowledge leads to the development of technologies that are used in the development process.
Problems of Linking Science to Policy
The perceived “neutrality” of science
The failure of scientists to translate their works into “readable” forms
Lack of State support for S and T
The control of science by powerful elites
The “cultural” divide between “science” and “politics”
Strengthening the Link between Science and Policy
Reforming governance – balancing the political and scientific considerations in policy making
Reforming science -- begin to see science no longer as a neutral domain of knowledge, but more as a prescriptive activity that emerges to respond to the issues and problems of society
The “New” Science …
“Old” Science “New” Science
Emphasis on individual researchers
Emphasis on teams of researchers
Academic control over research direction
Research direction shaped by interaction with users
Curiosity and discipline driven Problem and issue-based, multi- and inter-disciplinary
Problems defined to minimize uncertainty in results
Problems all contain large and pervasive uncertainties
Local organizational knowledge base
Diverse sources of knowledge and networks of information
… The “New” Science
“Old” Science “New” Science
Quality judged by peer review Judgment by users and peers
Apparent disinterest of researchers (value free)
Researchers are partisans (value laden)
Communication by scientific articles
Diverse forms of communication
Linear logic from results to action Highly non-linear relationship between results and action
Stakes are low Stakes are high
Developments in Science-Policy Links
Many NGOs have taken up science-based advocacy in the areas of the environment, sustainable agriculture, global warming, and public health
Increasing participation of scientists and academics in providing critical inputs to the formulation of global agreements Convention on Biological
Diversity UN Framework Conference for
Climate Change
Role of Science in Global Governance
Growing acceptance of the idea that while global governance is the expertise of trained diplomats, the crafting of meaningful and valid agreements is also dependent on the work of scientists
Led to the emergence and development of “epistemic communities”
Epistemic Communities
Refers to a transnational community of science-based policy analysts who are familiar both with the natural sciences as well as with governance processes
Organized as networks of people whose existence is established and maintained through repeated interaction in international meetings and conferences, joint research projects, and involvement in international and nongovernmental organizations
Bright Prospects for Linking Science to Policy
There are already networks in civil society with science-based connections
There are also now a growing number of natural scientists more directly involved in policy advocacy
These scientists appreciate their roles in the development of alternative governance systems and sustainable development processes
