Post WWII UK science policy and theories of change in science policy - Essay

side WWII UK science constitution and theories of change in science policy - Outline the main features of UK science policy in the dif - Essay ExampleThis adjudicate discusses the key features of science policy under the Thatcher government and during the Blair / browned administration, as well as heyday out the contrasts and comparisons between the same. The policies and strategies in todays times have evolved as a consequence of such external accompanimentors, and circumstances, which existed prior to the two world wars, and are in plain contrast to the contemporary times. The impact of technological revolution, on the society today, is the result of such policies and political will. The fact that science is an influential tool used for political domination is established by means of this study. Furthermore it in like manner suggests the manner in which policies and investment in science and technology have changed over the years, in reception to the change in structure o f government. The increased government spending on research and development of thermonuclear weapons post the World War II, during the Wilson Labour government (1964-1970) to the shift in investment in industrial research during the Thatcher Major hidebound government (1979 1997) and finally to the Blair / Brown governments (1997 2010) emphasis on building a knowledge economy by enhancing the quality of life through wealth creation. This essay discusses the key features of science policy under the Thatcher government and during the Blair / Brown administration, as well as point out the contrasts and comparisons between the same. UK Science Policy Post WWII The science policy of two governments namely, The Thatcher / Major Conservative brass (1979 1997) and The Blair / Brown Labour Government (1997 2010) are discussed in this section The Thatcher / Major Conservative Government (1979 1997) Various strategic changes in the science policy were observed during the Thatcher admin istration. One of the key aims of the Thatcher government was to interpret a social environment with minimum possible, moderation on the activities of semiprivate industry. The Thatcher government which came to power during the ripe 1970s saw major investments in science and technology, with a greater emphasis on industrial development. The government focused mainly on development of research fields which had a strong industrial relevance, resulting in priority funding in this sector. This in turn strengthened the relationship between the private industry, universities and Research councils, which were initially devoid of such funding. One of the fields that were mostly benefited through such huge funding was genetic engineering (Wright, 1994). The science policy under this regime was mostly centralized and was subjected to major interference from the government. The key focus was to steer the scientific innovations in a way that could benefit the society, through maximum reven ue generation. The main agenda of this administration was to liberate the private enterprises, and reduce state interference and cuts in public sector spending. Overall reductions in budget were made, in the areas of education and in universities, disregardless