100 



Questions For the Record— McDougaU, page 7 



elites, e.g.) define oior own mood and policy, we have fallen into a trap. 

 Librarian of Congress Daniel Boorstin wrote that when the gods wish to 

 punish us, they make us believe our own advertising. "We suffer abroad," he 

 wrote, "sLmpiy because people know America through images, while our 

 enemies profit from the fact that they are known only, or primarily, through 

 their ideals." The real strength of America is its liberty. If we beUeve that 

 progress in science and technology stems from liberty, then we, too, should 

 be content with our ideals and confident that others will adopt them. But 

 trying to "prove" that our system is better through scientific and technical 

 exhibitionism only invites doubt and contempt (if they're trying so hard to 

 prove they're better, maybe they in fact are noti). In some fields, we may 

 need to ensure that we remain the leader, as in fields of science critical for 

 defense. In other important fields— environmental and medical welfare, 

 e.g.— we shall want to push ahead, but would be deUghted if another nation 

 made breakthroughs before us (who cares where a cure for cancer comes 

 from?). In lower-priority fields we can only be pleased that another country 

 is taking the lead (and ^pending the money), especially since it may 

 contribute to their national pride in a harmless way. To insist on leading 

 everywhere would be to ^ite our friends. In sum, we should not worry 

 overmuch if some other nation "beats us" to something. Let us allocate our 

 budget according to oxir own criteria, and not in hopes of manipulating the 

 sensibilities of foreigners. 



