Dr. Rao says the government is generous — maybe overly so — in financing science.
Some years back, I attended a meeting with a high-ranking civil servant with a background in the humanities who asked the scientists in attendance whether government should stop financing science and let others (eg the US) do it instead.
The article then looks at emerging approaches in the two countries related to financing, science, technology & innovation policy, and sub-national actions.
For publicly financed science research, the Obama administration agrees.
And, as those who finance science need reminding, natural history matters.
IF THERE is any endeavour whose fruits should be freely available, that endeavour is surely publicly financed science.
Although the Pentagon regularly finances science and engineering research, systematic support for the social sciences and humanities has been rare.
The device has so far cost taxpayers more than $5 billion, making it one of the most expensive federally financed science projects ever.
The biggest of these, in my view, is the shortage of long term capacity in the system, especially in the publicly financed science system.
Mr. Obama, the Democratic nominee, looks to the federal government to finance science, math and engineering education and the kind of basic research that can produce valuable industrial spinoffs.
Not only is it the medium of business, finance, science and the internet, but also of government, education, broadcasting, the press, advertising, street signs, consumer products and the music industry.
