862 



104 R.„/>,, 1 W Su/'nh 



ahead. Since the underlyintJ premise i^ tliat prdhlenis must and can he scilved. a 

 measure 'if optimism is in order." 



The emphasis here has been on a practical approach to all plan'- tor applvmi^ 

 science and technology to development 1 o some denree, this practical approach can 

 be criticised a.s beini; too much in the W estern technocratic tradition. Does it pay too 

 little heed to political forces and give too little attention to science.? 



As far as the political criticism is concerned, many observers jilead happily content 

 with the following assumption: only as the developing nations create systems ol 

 personal treedom with incentives tor science and technology will they foster humane, 

 vital institutions capable of servint^ their societies. Do other systems work better.'' 



As far as the role of .science is ci^nccrned, a qeneral correc lion should be made to 

 the shorthand references about technology. The correction is this: it is a mistake to 

 think oi "pure"" and "applied"' work, su^gestln^ that these are always distinct 

 categories and that LDCs can (or should) afford only to sponsor applied science." 

 The categories are not distinct, just as produrii\e governmental and industrial 

 organizations must carry out research in order lo hv eliective. any research program 

 ou.tjht to be balanced across the spectrum Irom hiuhly hindamental and lont^-range 

 efforts 'o concretely applied and short raii^e projects. Moreoever. "science is 

 knowing |anil|. . to understand how thini^s work is to see how. within environ 

 mental constraints and the linutations oi wisdom, better to arcomodate nature to 

 man and man to nature.""'" 



It would he a mistake to leave science out of a nation's long term plans for social 

 development. The essential requirement is for at least a small number of excellent, 

 working scientists— probably located in only one or two national centers — who can 

 (a) stay in touch with worldwide research trends and thereby anticifiate key choices 

 for the future: (b) educate younger colleagues about local and international oppor- 

 tunities; (c) contribute to "quality control"" ot larger technical activities related to 

 the highest priority national missicms in economic development; and (d) insist upon 

 appropriate standards for the national educational system in the sciences, 

 engineering, medicine, and technical management. 



A Final Note 



The mega conferences of the 197')s under UN auspices have not been the events 

 to attend if one seeks new data, penetrating analyses, fresh policies, reliable programs, 

 or new pots of gold. The topics oi these conferences have concerned the most 

 demanding aspirations of the world. The persons who attended were irustrated. That 

 will oicur again this year at Vienna Sharp rhetoric at Vienna will not shorten the 

 time that it takes to achieve the goals of nations. It can only be hoped that the 

 delegates do their homework and arrive ready to be realistic about the curving road 

 ahead " 



In deciding how to move along tliat road, deletjates to UNCSTD will have to 

 confront the facts about the world"s presently shaky economy. Thus it seems 

 unlikely that large new financial commitments would be made and, if that guess is 

 correct, the LDCs will have to re\i.sc their goals. The deleuates will also have to 

 evaluate whether the UN system, staggering under its current responsibilities, could 



