1735 



Science may respond beneficially to diplomatic initiatives, but technology de- 

 termines in major ways the whole environment of diplomacy and national 

 power. It is therefore a fit subject for broad policy analysis on a major and con- 

 tinuing basis. It requires extensive information inputs. Quantitative as well as 

 qualitative factors are involved. Technical knowledge and understanding are 

 needed in the analysis, but broader social and political understanding are also 

 essential.^^ 



An interesting suggestion appears in the study (with particular 

 reference to technology, it must be asserted) that the resources of the 

 National Academy of Sciences be more S3^stematically mobilized in 

 the quest for diplomatic initiatives. A report by the Academj'^ had 

 found that technical matters of diplomacy ". . . receive little leader- 

 ship or effective guidance until they reach crisis proportions or cause 

 major political problems." Thus it called for an advisory council in 

 the Executive Office of the President, closely coupled with the De- 

 partment of State and the National Security Council. Said the NAS 

 report: 



That coupling would enable the council to provide in international matters 

 the early warning and coordinated attention to crisis management and selective 

 program development that have been suggested here as among the principal 

 functions of the council. It would enable the council to intervene, side by side 

 with those within the Department of State responsible for scientific affairs, at 

 the points where policy is actively determined, particularly where Presidential 

 initiatives or interests are immediately involved.^^^ 



Some Concluding Observations 



Granting the overlapping nature of the initiative and reactive modes 

 of diplomacy, there is evidence that the United States tends toward 

 the latter. There may be reason to believe that concentration on 

 responsive rather than initiative diplomacy can be more dangerous 

 for a nation's security in the long run, and conversely, that the initia- 

 tive mode is both more rewarding and less burdensome. 



The United States is still the technological leader of the community 

 of nations. This advantage offers a potential for diplomatic exploita- 

 tion, especially since the bulk of modern problems and issues in inter- 

 national relations have substantial technical content. 



It is important also to note that technology has been a major factor 

 in the gradual development of interdependence among nations. 



Accordingly, exploitation of scientific and technological opportuni- 

 ties for diplomatic purposes and toward diplomatic goals seems an 

 imperative form of the initiative mode. Then what are its re- 

 quirements? 



Foremost among the requisite elements of an initiative technical- 

 diplomatic mode are planning institutions with adequate data base, 

 analytical capabilities and innovative character — and influence in the 

 policj'making process. 



Among the kinds of opportunities that could be explored are the 

 relative advantages of bilateral and multilateral initiatives, of global 

 and regional programs of development, and of attention to health, 

 population, food, the seabed, nuclear safeguards, and global science 

 projects. Particularl}^ attractive is the relativel}^ noncontroversial and 

 highly acceptable area of global health. 



365 Ibid., pp. 1493-1494. 



3«6 National Academy of Sciences, ad hoc Committee on Science and Technology, Science and Technology 

 iti Presidential Policymaking: a Proposal. Washington, D.C., National Academy of Sciences, June 1974: 45. 



