1261 



they are, to understand and value their benefits and so give support and status 

 to them.*" 



Tlie LDCs need the development of the scientific spirit, for many of 

 the problems of brain drain and thus development derive perhaps as 

 much from an indifference to the proper role of science and technology 

 in society as from the level of national poverty. "Without prestige, 

 status, and recognition of value to the nation, scientists and tech- 

 nologists are relegated to the lower orders of society (in contrast with 

 the value system in advanced industrial countries). Morale declines, 

 and as a consequence the LDC loses a valuable asset for development 

 either through underutilization or brain drain. 



High morale is accordingl}^ very important to the scientific com- 

 munity : it provides "a motive force, a sense of purpose and faith in 

 what one is doing, a philosophical and psychological conviction about 

 certain values and goals." '^^^ But morale is "often very low" in the 

 LDCs, and as Moravcsik explains : 



It is partly a matter of osmosis from the static quality of the society in which 

 these scientists and engineers are embedded, and partly a feeling of hopelessness 

 when it comes to an extrapolated comparison with the more advanced countries. 

 But it goes deeper : as nothing succeeds as well as success, also nothing prevents 

 success so much as lack of success.*^ 



The creation of an all-pervading scientific spirit is thus essential 

 to development in the modern technocratic age. Among the LDCs it 

 can help transform national attitudes and values that now bar prog- 

 ress ; it can reconstitute national cultures bringing them in line with 

 the demands of the time. It can accomplish these goals by eroding the 

 barriers of excessive traditionalism, by creating an appreciation of 

 science and technology in the development process, and by instilling 

 the habit of accepting as a normal function of life both change and 

 the creative role of science and technology in responding to newly 

 created needs brought on by change. 



Value of C oinmunications. — Development of a strong network of in- 

 ternal and external communications within the scientific community 

 both at home and abroad is vital for developing a scientific environ- 

 ment in the LDCs. The developing countries face a very serious two- 

 pronged problem : The maintenance and the supply of high-quality 

 scientific manpower.^"^ Lack of a strong communications network pre- 

 vents cross-fertilization of ideas for intellectual stimulation and ulti- 

 mately retards the growth of a virile scientific community. This de- 

 ficiency has two negative effects : It encourages intellectual calcification 

 among those Avho stay behind : It stimulates brain drain among the am- 

 bitious and the bright. In both cases, the LDC loses. 



To accomplish their goal of national developm-ent. the LDCs need a 

 strong network of communications within their scientific communities. 



*''•'- Moravcsik, "A Chance to Close the Gap?" p. 2. 

 «»3IMfl., p. 3. 

 «»• Il)ld.. p. 4. 



««■• Moravcsik, "Technical Assistance and Fundamental Research in Underdeveloped Coun- 

 tries," p. 206. 



