The Doomsday Lobby: Hype and Panic from Sputniks, Martians, and Marauding Meteor

Description: The Doomsday Lobby by James T. Bennett Federal patronage of science was never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, but they did seek to "promote the Progress of Science and useful Art" by granting inventors patent rights. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Federal patronage of science was never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, but they did seek to "promote the Progress of Science and useful Art" by granting inventors patent rights. However, direct subvention to scientists and scientific organizations was not considered appropriate activity of the central government. In the 19th Century, American science was funded almost entirely through private investors. Since WWII, however, the federal government has become the primary patron of American science. From the race-to-space in the 1950s to current furor over global warming, Bennett traces the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which government has co-opted scientific research and reinforced a culture in which challengers to proscribed wisdom are frozen out. Citing original documents and media reports, Bennett offers a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking perspective on political influence on scientific research and its implications for a democratic society."During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the governments already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded."Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel"Bennetts latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobbyoffers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society."James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in America Notes Controversial, outspoken, and provocative perspective on the political influence over scientific researchColorful stories of dramatic episodes, including the race-to-space, meteor scares, and the current debate over global warmingReferences to popular press and culture; and engaging style that will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers Back Cover From the race-to-space in the 1950s to the current furor over global warming, James Bennett traces the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which government has co-opted scientific research and reinforced a culture in which challengers to proscribed wisdom are frozen out. Ripped from the headlines, Bennett offers a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking perspective on political influence in scientific research and its implications for a democratic society.Praise for The Doomsday Lobby"During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the governments already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded."Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel"Bennetts latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobby offers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society."James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in AmericaJames T. Bennett is Eminent Scholar and William P. Snavely Professor of Political Economy and Public Policy at George Mason University, and Director of The John M. Olin Institute for Employment Practice and Policy. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books, including Unhealthy Charities, The Politics of American Feminism, Stifling Political Competition, and Not Invited to the Party. Author Biography James T. Bennett is Eminent Scholar and William P. Snavely Professor of Political Economy and Public Policy at George Mason University, and Director of The John M. Olin Institute for Employment Practice and Policy. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books, including Unhealthy Charities, The Politics of American Feminism, Stifling Political Competition, and Not Invited to the Party. Table of Contents and Overview.- American Science before the Bomb.- Dr. Bush Fathers a Foundation.- Oh Sputnik! How the Educationists Prospered from a Russian Satellite.- To Mars! (But Why?).- The Chicken Littles of Big Science; or, Here Come the Killer Asteroids!.- Conclusion: The Only Way to Keep the Sky from Falling Is…. Review From the reviews:"Bennett has written an engrossing tale of how government dollars are used to stoke the fires of campaigns that urge U.S. lawmakers as well as taxpayers to consider spaceborne paranoia – be it Sputnik-like challenges, incoming asteroids, or global warming. … All in all, this book looks at the popular press and culture, written in an appealing style that will jell with a broad gamut of readers. … well worth the read and may well add to your inbox of inquiry about todays space program direction." (Leonard David, Space Coalition, January, 2011)"Whole purpose of this book is to expose and dissect the world of self-serving, job-protecting doomsday predictions visited upon Congress and the American public in order to, the author purports, scare everyone into paying for things–in this case, scientists and their projects–that otherwise wouldnt have a prayer of public funding. … If you want a glimpse into why Washington cant … get anything done and why politicians are out for themselves, their districts and their own reelection bids, read this book … ." (Carla, Goodreads, June, 2011)"James T. Bennetts most recent book, The Doomsday Lobby, is an excellent antidote to the thinking that has promoted science as an arm of the government during the past seventy-five years. … Bennetts book will appeal to a large swath of readers … . the reader will see that it is a thoughtful … and well-researched work." (William N. Butos, The Independent Review, Vol. 16 (2), October, 2011) Long Description Federal patronage of science was never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, but they did seek to "promote the Progress of Science and useful Art" by granting inventors patent rights. However, direct subvention to scientists and scientific organizations was not considered appropriate activity of the central government. In the 19th Century, American science was funded almost entirely through private investors. Since WWII, however, the federal government has become the primary patron of American science. From the race-to-space in the 1950s to current furor over global warming, Bennett traces the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which government has co-opted scientific research and reinforced a culture in which challengers to proscribed wisdom are frozen out. Citing original documents and media reports, Bennett offers a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking perspective on political influence on scientific research and its implications for a democratic society. "During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the governments already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded."Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel "Bennetts latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobby offers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society."James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in America Review Quote From the reviews:Bennett has written an engrossing tale of how government dollars are used to stoke the fires of campaigns that urge U.S. lawmakers as well as taxpayers to consider spaceborne paranoia be it Sputnik-like challenges, incoming asteroids, or global warming. … All in all, this book looks at the popular press and culture, written in an appealing style that will jell with a broad gamut of readers. … well worth the read and may well add to your inbox of inquiry about todays space program direction. (Leonard David, Space Coalition, January, 2011)Whole purpose of this book is to expose and dissect the world of self-serving, job-protecting doomsday predictions visited upon Congress and the American public in order to, the author purports, scare everyone into paying for thingsin this case, scientists and their projectsthat otherwise wouldnt have a prayer of public funding. … If you want a glimpse into why Washington cant … get anything done and why politicians are out for themselves, their districts and their own reelection bids, read this book … . (Carla, Goodreads, June, 2011)James T. Bennetts most recent book, The Doomsday Lobby, is an excellent antidote to the thinking that has promoted science as an arm of the government during the past seventy-five years. … Bennetts book will appeal to a large swath of readers … . the reader will see that it is a thoughtful … and well-researched work. (William N. Butos, The Independent Review, Vol. 16 (2), October, 2011) Feature Controversial, outspoken, and provocative perspective on the political influence over scientific researchColorful stories of dramatic episodes, including the race-to-space, meteor scares, and the current debate over global warmingReferences to popular press and culture; and engaging style that will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers Details ISBN1441966846 Author James T. Bennett Language English ISBN-10 1441966846 ISBN-13 9781441966841 Media Book Format Paperback Publisher Springer-Verlag New York Inc. Year 2010 Imprint Springer-Verlag New York Inc. Subtitle Hype and Panic from Sputniks, Martians, and Marauding Meteors Country of Publication United States Publication Date 2010-09-30 Place of Publication New York, NY DEWEY 338.97306 Residence US Short Title DOOMSDAY LOBBY 2010/E Pages 200 Edition 2010th DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-6685-8 AU Release Date 2010-09-30 NZ Release Date 2010-09-30 US Release Date 2010-09-30 UK Release Date 2010-09-30 Illustrations VII, 200 p. Edition Description 2010 ed. Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137825909;

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