1423 



SiiTxilarly ^vith the science office iii State: tlie problem of keeping 

 track of 28 bilateral science programs, supporting the science aspects 

 of an uncountable variety of multilateral science activities, assisting 

 in further negotiations, coordinating and backstopping 30 scientific 

 attaches or deputies in 23 countries or missions, and supporting or 

 analyzing the budgets of various departments and agencies engaged in 

 overseas scientific and technological activities, leaves little time for 

 meditative planning and analysis. It is possible that for precisely the 

 same reason that the Policy Planning Staff was conceived as an insu- 

 lated group of knowledgeable and intelligent planners, a small insu- 

 lated planning group in OES might serve as a source of fact, analysis^ 

 trends, and technology forecasts to support the work of the Policy 

 Planning Staff. Broad experience, high intellectual quality, diplomatic 

 training, and extensive relationships with the U.S. scientific and tech- 

 nological communities would appear to be minimum requirements for 

 such a staff. 



Future Policy Impacts of Science and Technology 



To what extent are future problems and opportunities of U.S. 

 diplomacy likely to involve science and technolog}'^? A recent study 

 by a policy panel of the United Nations Association of the United 

 States^*^ called attention to the radical alteration in "traditional 

 patterns of international relations" brought about by developments 

 in the application of science and technology. In particular: 



Developments in science and technology have become in many cases the basis 

 of political power struggles. National power is constantly being deployed to 

 achieve larger shares of the benefits of such new technologies as remote sensing 

 of the earth's resources and recovery of mineral wealth from the world's seabeds. 

 Where the use of internationally traded resources is at stake, some industrial 

 states are seeking new technologies that will permit self-sufficiency, while many 

 countries hope to use boycotts and cartels as a form of coercion for both economic 

 and political ends. And, scientific research and development for military purposes 

 continue to be a high priority for many nations. According to one estimate, 

 military efforts account currently for about 40 percent of total world research 

 and development expenditures, or nearly $25 billion, which might otherwise be 

 available for non-military purposes. 



While advances in science and technology obviously have contributed both 

 directly and indirectly to the world's problems, on balance they have made — and 

 will continue to make — major contributions to the resolution of those problems. 

 Alleviation of the world food problem depends importantly on scientific and 

 technical advances which will make possible greater agricultural productivity 

 in the developing world. The development of new types of energy sources is an 

 essential element in relieving the problems resulting from geographically con- 

 centrated and ultimately finite supplies of petroleum. It is important that the 

 capabilities — ^as well as the consequences — of science and technology be examined 

 more carefully than they have been in the past, and in the broadest possible 

 framework, if science and technology are to be applied effectively to benefit 

 mankind as a whole. "^ 



'*2 The panel on Science and Technology in an Age of Interdependence, was chaired by Franklin A. Lindsay, 

 president of Itek Corporation. Among its 23 members were: William O. Baker, President, Bel! Telephone 

 Laboratories, Inc.; Harvey Brooks, Dean of Engineering and Applied Physics, Harvard University; 

 Dr. Harold Brown, President, California Institute of Technology; John H. Knowles, M.D., President, 

 The Rockefeller Foundation; Eugene B. Skolnikoff, Professor of Political Science, Director, Center, for 

 International Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Carroll L. Wilson, Mitsui Prof'jssor in Prob- 

 lems of Contemporary Technology, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

 As cited in United Nations Association of the United States of America, National PoUcy Panel, Science and 

 Technology in an Era of Interdependence (New York: U.N. Association of the U.S.A., January 1975), pp. 2-3. 



'« Ibid., p. 18. 



