The Rise of Political Science

This article, which appeared in the GAO Journal, No. 4, Winter 1988, discusses the system of funding scientific research and development (R&D). GAO noted that: (1) current expenditures for R&D are almost equally split between industry and the federal government and cover everything from medicine to spacecraft to weapon systems; (2) scientific research grant funding was usually allocated through peer review systems protected from political pressures; (3) political considerations are beginning to impinge on R&D funding, since Congress has increased funds for specific scientific facilities without subjecting them to traditional forms of review; (4) due to budget constraints, R&D funding is under greater scrutiny; and (5) because many scientists questioned whether increased political funding would lead to poorer quality science, they suggested creating a list of priorities for science funding, topped by training and research grants designed to ensure a future supply of U.S. scientists.