When Scientists Politicize Science

Abstract

Instead of the futile effort to keep science and politics separate, it may make more sense to ask scientists to engage more substantively in policy debate, not by taking sides but instead by serving as "honest brokers of policy alternatives." This would have the effect of depoliticizing science in policy deliberations without having to achieve the utopian ideal of separating science from politics.

Keywords: science, politics, policymakers, debates, political debate, scientific debate, controversy, the skeptical environmentalist, Kyoto protocol, linear relation, distinguishing politics and policy, separating science and politics

JEL Classification: N50, P11