The Federal Government and Social Science Policy

Abstract

The United States government does not have a social science policy, but the interaction between government agencies and the large body of American social scientists produces emphases and directions. Both social scientists and government agencies are loosely organized in a pluralistic and flexible fashion without central control despite several administrative attempts to supply it. Federal support for social science is largely centered in four agencies which provide two-thirds of the funds, although the diversity of agency support provides considerable flexibility. Social scientists have found it advantageous to ally themselves with physical scientists in seeking support, with one result being the encouragement of empirically oriented research rather than humanistic research or politically controversial subjects. Three non-governmental organizations play special roles in social science policy; through study committees and advisory groups they provide emphases and development of uses of social science. Three recent reports from these organizations have made a number of policy recommendations, including: greater representation of social science at high levels of science policy-making; more use of collected data, but without infringing on individual privacy; development of social indicators; improvement of education in social science; increased international collaboration among social scientists; development of applied-behavioral-science schools; inclusion of behavioral science studies in curricula of professional schools. The principal emphasis of the recommendations is bringing social science into closer conjunction with the practical affairs of the society.