The Doomsday Lobby

Hype and Panic from Sputniks, Martians, and Marauding Meteors

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Astronomy, Nature
Cover of the book The Doomsday Lobby by James T. Bennett, Springer New York
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James T. Bennett ISBN: 9781441966858
Publisher: Springer New York Publication: September 11, 2010
Imprint: Copernicus Language: English
Author: James T. Bennett
ISBN: 9781441966858
Publisher: Springer New York
Publication: September 11, 2010
Imprint: Copernicus
Language: English

Federal patronage of science was never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, but they did seek to “promote the Progress of Science and useful Art” by granting inventors patent rights. However, direct subvention to scientists and scientific organizations was not considered appropriate activity of the central government. In the 19th Century, American science was funded almost entirely through private investors. Since WWII, however, the federal government has become the primary patron of American science. From the race-to-space in the 1950s to current furor over global warming, Bennett traces the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which government has co-opted scientific research and reinforced a culture in which challengers to proscribed wisdom are frozen out. Citing original documents and media reports, Bennett offers a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking perspective on political influence on scientific research and its implications for a democratic society.

"During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the government's already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded." Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel

"Bennett's latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobby offers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society." James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in America

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Federal patronage of science was never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, but they did seek to “promote the Progress of Science and useful Art” by granting inventors patent rights. However, direct subvention to scientists and scientific organizations was not considered appropriate activity of the central government. In the 19th Century, American science was funded almost entirely through private investors. Since WWII, however, the federal government has become the primary patron of American science. From the race-to-space in the 1950s to current furor over global warming, Bennett traces the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which government has co-opted scientific research and reinforced a culture in which challengers to proscribed wisdom are frozen out. Citing original documents and media reports, Bennett offers a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking perspective on political influence on scientific research and its implications for a democratic society.

"During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the government's already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded." Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel

"Bennett's latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobby offers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society." James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in America

More books from Springer New York

Cover of the book Pathology of Melanocytic Nevi and Malignant Melanoma by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Contemporary Issues in Child Welfare Practice by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Internationalizing the Psychology Curriculum in the United States by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book The Social Construction of the Person by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Family Medicine by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Advances in Time Series Methods and Applications by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Time-Domain Ultra-Wideband Radar, Sensor and Components by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book New Agents for the Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Anticipatory Systems by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Mode 3 Knowledge Production in Quadruple Helix Innovation Systems by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book The Practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book An Introduction to Statistical Learning by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Harmonic Analysis on Symmetric Spaces—Euclidean Space, the Sphere, and the Poincaré Upper Half-Plane by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book Sample Preparation Handbook for Transmission Electron Microscopy by James T. Bennett
Cover of the book The Care and Management of Spinal Cord Injuries by James T. Bennett
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy