The Fragile Contract

In the years following World War II, the Unites States developed a remarkable system for supporting scientific research. This system was founded on a vision of science as an 'endless frontier' that could replace the physical of the American West as a driving force for economic growth, rising standards of living, and social change (Bush 1990 [1945[). Scientific discoveries, it was hoped would not only keep the United States the world's leader in military technology but would also create an endless stream of new commercial products, new medical technologies, and new sources of energy that would eventually benefit all people.