How does the government control science ?

[MrMixelPixel]

I have recently been intrigued by the the government's use and control of science. To clarify, I live in the U.S. I'm only interested in how the U.S. government dictates science. If you have any information or links that could educate me on this topic, I would be appreciative.

Please, if you give information... have a source to back it up.

The reason for my interest is due to my recent reading of the George Orwell's "1984"

 

[viranimus]

Well Science in the US is highly a political affair. Scientists need funding for research, so they usually have to obtain grants from people who have the means to spare it. In many cases that means people who are involved with the government, or have close ties to it.

So scientists find themselves having to play off partisan politics in order to secure the funding they need for their research. Many times they also find that their research will inevitably get skewn to meet the original funders own ends.

Mostly what I have said is commonly known. However I am in school, and deal with scientists and doctoral researchers who have expressed and validated similar experiences.

 

[bob1052]

Research is expensive and the government has a lot of money.

 

[Vausch]

Funding is pretty much the broadest answer and the most influential for science. President or congress or senators think it's evil or against their god's ideals or can't see the use in it? No or very little funding.