Is Science Incompatible with Government Information Control?

Is Science Compatible with Government Information Control

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Introduction

Many people appreciate that good policy-making should be informed on scientific data and correct interpretation of the same . Although they rarely find their way to the front-office , scientists and academics play an important role in national-level and sub-national level policymaking Despite this growing importance of science to policymaking , holders of political offices are wont to dismiss advice from scientists and make decisions which promise the most public approval . Other policy-makers distort scientific information to suit

their political ends (Hutchings Haedrich Walters , 1997 . Policy-making in any country is a political process and few politicians are willing or able to pursue unpopular but scientifically-credible policies . Yet the policy-making machinery of any country is incomplete in the absence of scientists (Healey , 1997 . This argues that science and government information control are incompatible

Science and government information control

One of the most prominent roles of the government is to make policies and to make its people feel that they belong . Most politicians know that the surest way of retaining public support and remaining in power , as an individual or a poitical party , is by showing concern for the well-being of the masses . Popular decisions are therefore made with much pomp . This may not be true in dictatorships where leaders are not elected by the people . Scientific research yields information which may be alarming or with which the people may be uncomfortable . Policies informed on scientific data may not be popular with...