Basic and Applied Research
The Language of Science Policy in the Twentieth Century
Published on 9. June 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
312 pages
978-1-80073-938-3 (ISBN)
Description
The distinction between basic and applied research was central to twentieth-century science and policymaking, and if this framework has been contested in recent years, it nonetheless remains ubiquitous in both scientific and public discourse. Employing a transnational, diachronic perspective informed by historical semantics, this volume traces the conceptual history of the basic-applied distinction from the nineteenth century to today, taking stock of European developments alongside comparative case studies from the United States and China. It shows how an older dichotomy of pure and applied science was reconceived in response to rapid scientific progress and then further transformed by the geopolitical circumstances of the postwar era.
Reviews / Votes
"Overall, this edited collection represents a greatly enriching contribution to conceptual history that raises questions of methodology and concepts and analyses these successfully from various national perspectives." * NTM History of Science, Technology & Medicine"The great merit of the editors' pluralist approach is that they allow a range of distinguished international contributors free rein to discuss the topics in depth for the United States, Germany, and Britain, with invaluable comparative discussion of Hungary and China too...a rich and intriguing Collection." * Isis
"This is an important and timely contribution to the conceptual history of science in the twentieth century, with a laudably thorough discussion of methodological and conceptual concerns." * Julian Bauer, European University Association
"Concepts reflect ideologies and policies as much as they shape them, bridging the gap between expectations and reality. This transnational probe into the "basic/applied" rhetoric of science policy discourse is a unique and overdue analysis that will contribute to our understanding of past and present relations among science, innovation and the political contexts in which they develop." * Peter Weingart, Bielefeld University
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
6 Figures
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
457 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80073-938-3 (9781800739383)
DOI
10.3167/9781785338106
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
David Kaldewey is professor for science studies and science policy at the University of Bonn and co-spokesperson of the Rhine Ruhr Center for Science Communication Research. He holds a doctorate in sociology from Bielefeld University. He has published widely on the changing relationship of science, society, and politics. His research interests include the identity work of scientists and science policy makers, the crisis of truth as a challenge to science communication, and the sociology of universities in world society.
Content
List of Figures
Preface
List of Abbreviations
Introduction: Why Do Concepts Matter in Science Policy?
Desiree Schauz and David Kaldewey
PART I: GENEALOGIES OF SCIENCE POLICY DISCOURSES
Chapter 1. Categorizing Science in Nineteenth and Early Twentieth-Century Britain
Robert Bud
Chapter 2. Professional Devotion, National Needs, Fascist Claims, and Democratic Virtues: The Language of Science Policy in Germany
Desiree Schauz and Gregor Lax
Chapter 3. Transforming Pure Science into Basic Research: The Language of Science Policy in the United States
David Kaldewey and Desiree Schauz
PART II: CONCEPTUAL SYNCHRONIZATION AND CULTURAL VARIATION
Chapter 4. Fundamental Research and New Scientific Arrangements for the Development of Britain's Colonies after 1940
Sabine Clarke
Chapter 5. Basic Research in the Max Planck Society: Science Policy in the Federal Republic of Germany, 1945-1970
Carola Sachse
Chapter 6. Beyond the Basic/Applied Distinction?: The Scientific-Technological Revolution in the German Democratic Republic, 1945-1989
Manuel Schramm
Chapter 7. Applied Science in Stalin's Time: Hungary, 1945-1953
Gyoergy Peteri
Chapter 8. Theory Attached to Practice: Chinese Debates over Basic Research from Thought Remolding to the Bomb, 1949-1966
Zuoyue Wang
PART III: OUTLOOK
Chapter 9. The Language of Science Policy in the Twenty-First Century: What Comes after Basic and Applied Research?
Tim Flink and David Kaldewey
Indexes
Preface
List of Abbreviations
Introduction: Why Do Concepts Matter in Science Policy?
Desiree Schauz and David Kaldewey
PART I: GENEALOGIES OF SCIENCE POLICY DISCOURSES
Chapter 1. Categorizing Science in Nineteenth and Early Twentieth-Century Britain
Robert Bud
Chapter 2. Professional Devotion, National Needs, Fascist Claims, and Democratic Virtues: The Language of Science Policy in Germany
Desiree Schauz and Gregor Lax
Chapter 3. Transforming Pure Science into Basic Research: The Language of Science Policy in the United States
David Kaldewey and Desiree Schauz
PART II: CONCEPTUAL SYNCHRONIZATION AND CULTURAL VARIATION
Chapter 4. Fundamental Research and New Scientific Arrangements for the Development of Britain's Colonies after 1940
Sabine Clarke
Chapter 5. Basic Research in the Max Planck Society: Science Policy in the Federal Republic of Germany, 1945-1970
Carola Sachse
Chapter 6. Beyond the Basic/Applied Distinction?: The Scientific-Technological Revolution in the German Democratic Republic, 1945-1989
Manuel Schramm
Chapter 7. Applied Science in Stalin's Time: Hungary, 1945-1953
Gyoergy Peteri
Chapter 8. Theory Attached to Practice: Chinese Debates over Basic Research from Thought Remolding to the Bomb, 1949-1966
Zuoyue Wang
PART III: OUTLOOK
Chapter 9. The Language of Science Policy in the Twenty-First Century: What Comes after Basic and Applied Research?
Tim Flink and David Kaldewey
Indexes