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Abstract

Science is playing an increasingly important role in society and consequently being increasingly drawn upon by government for advice and counsel. This increasing interaction spawns increasing consternation as the scientist, one species of expert, encounters public policy. The scientists and other experts are often confused, misused, abused and sometimes repelled by that new intellectual domain. This paper indicates some of the basic conditions for successful public policy research, and some of the misconceptions or institutional constraints on rendering such public service. It highlights the difference between a problem, the domain of the expert, and an issue, the domain of the politician, and the conditions for bringing them to some useful working relationship.

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The ideas expressed in this paper are the sole responsibility of the author and should not be interpreted as the position of any organization he is or has been associated with .

Several people have usefully commented on earlier drafts of this paper , These benefactors include John Gilmore, Jack Nilles, Dennis Little, Oon Kash, Jack White, Dennis Miller, Dorothy Nelkin, Anton Schmalz and Vary Coates.

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What is a Public Policy Issue? An Advisory Essay

Abstract

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