スペインの社会の発展の基礎となる科学·研究にきちんと投資を
TRIBUNA
Todo el poder para la ciencia
No es razonable que en un país que debería salir de la crisis con un modelo económico y social distinto se marginen aquellas actividades, como las científicas, que están en la base de nuestras opciones de futuro
Pere Puigdomènech 1 FEB 2013 - 00:03 CET
TRIBUNE
All power to science
It is not reasonable that in a country that should emerge from the crisis with a different social and economic model is marginalize those activities, such as science, which are the basis of our future
Pere Puigdomènech 1 FEB 2013 - 00:03 CET
In the barometer of institutional trust Demoscopia on recently published appears once again that the groups that deserve more trust Spanish citizens are scientists, this time followed by physicians. In contrast, the least trusted professions produce are banks, political parties and politicians. It seems a world upside down. In a democratic society, citizens give a collective confidence to rule, but eventually turns out to be this in the least trust. Instead, right now those who have more trust problems in carrying out their work and even to survive. Should we go around the system and suggest that those who are most trusted by citizens, scientists and doctors, the governing?
Something like Plato proposed in his dialogue The Republic. In this famous work proposed that an aristocracy of knowledge outside the to take the reins of government. This concept has been around for centuries political ideas and served mainly to justify totalitarian governments. History teaches us that there is no sensible alternative to democratic systems seem appropriate but make reforms to public confidence in the political system recovers. It is true that the presence of scientists or doctors governments is uncommon, but not rare. For example, the first socialist government in 1982 had a good representation of members with scientific training and continues to be one of the best remembered of the past few years. The current government has only one member with medical training and not just in a function related to that.
The relationship between science and government occurs in two possible directions. On the one hand governments face increasingly questions you should consider providing information science. When we talk about energy, health, environment or agriculture, to give some examples, the governments need to have the best possible data on these issues, made of a transparent and independent and it should have the advice of scientists . It may be this point one of the valued citizens of scientists and physicians. If they do their job well, the results should be produced with objectivity and are aimed at helping society make your decisions in the best way possible. Distinguish between those who advise and decide is essential in a democratic society, but transparently decisions are taken after considering the best available scientific evidence seems essential. The governments of most advanced countries tend to have bodies to consult when making decisions, something virtually unknown in Spain.
Moreover science (such as health or education) needs of the Government. It is quite an illusion to think that private initiative will fund scientific research as a whole. In part they can do private foundations, and in this sense it is important patronage. But in all advanced countries there is a clear division of labor between the research funding of independent initiative of the emerging new ideas, and funding research aimed at resolving specific issues of interest to society and industry it has to be based on private funding. Creative research in all countries of the world, is a responsibility of the State has to ensure, of course, to be of the highest possible quality. It is at this point that the current reality shows its most disheartening.
SMEs need entrepreneurs with an illusion eroded by cuts and privatization
Interestingly, among the professions most affected by the crisis are those in which most citizens trust, who are scientists and doctors, to which are added small and medium enterprises, public school teachers and NGOs. The year 2012 ends with the announcement that the call for research projects of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness is delayed a few months. And 2013 starts with a fund that project financiers, the agricultural research, already approved will not be funded. This is in addition to cuts in wages, temporary contracts and research posts and professor, in an environment in which the system is not reformed to make it more efficient. The present situation is to be demonstrative of the contradictions in which we find ourselves. There will be thousands of civil servants which are not allowed to compete for resources to carry out their work. And as a side effect of lethal consequences for the future, many young researchers who rely on contracts funded projects are going to be unable to continue their work.
Professions such as doctor or scientist or professor of public education are meaningless without motivated professionals for their work and handed over to him. Small and medium entrepreneurs need to forward. And this may be losing between cuts and privatizations. No doubt you have to do everything possible to manage public resources efficiently. However, at this time remains the most Administration tape while management is privatized such as in hospitals. Clearing the space of creativity and respect for the vocation of these professionals will have negative effects will soon be felt in key issues such as health, education and certainly in science. And the international credibility of our country, for many marketing efforts are made, they will find on the floor.
In the current debate over who assume the role of rulers seem that those who currently control Spanish politics are averse to the scientific and academic. In the exceptional situation being experienced proliferate much deep analysis or demagogic about who controls the political decisions of the country. In some of these analyzes could conclude that the present rulers prevail corporate aspects of the bureaucracy over the creative aspects representing science and education. Or that is used to take advantage of economic activities such as health versus social needs or to promote some specific ideologies in education. Surely all these views are overly simplistic. In any case it seems obvious that research, education and culture are not the current priorities of Spanish rulers. And it would be interesting to know if there's any concrete alternatives in the opposition force.
The bureaucratic rulers prevail on the creative aspects of science and education
Perhaps we could suggest a party of scientists to try to gain power, but is not expected to outvote the Pirate Party. Neither the scientists would effective campaign nor is there any evidence that scientists were good rulers. But it seems reasonable in a country that should emerge from the crisis with a different social and economic model, which will ruin marginalize or activities that are at the basis of our future. Especially when those activities are most respected citizens. Maybe we should find ways to communicate clearly to the public what policy options that respect to those groups that citizens respect and which ones are sinking so that they make their decisions in full knowledge of the facts. And if science is not just controlling the power may be required to this show at least some level of respect for her.
Pere Puigdomènech is professor of CSIC.
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