The science-government relationship in Israel

A review of the relationship between sci & gov in Israel, oriented towards a discussion of the problems which have confronted them. The country's sci'fic community is characterized by a loose internal org, a strong link with the internat'l sci'fic community, & an accepted elite status in its own society. Sci'ts have a high degree of accessibility to the gov, & there are not many conflicts between sci'ts & the gov or the pol'al parties over the objectives of the State. The relatively independent status of the academic instit's, which are backed both financially & soc'ly by strong org's abroad, also gives Israeli sci'ts more independence from gov than their colleagues in many other young countries. The origins of Israeli sci are traced, the size & instit'al framework of sci today, & the sci policy bodies in Israel. It is pointed out that although there was no central, nation-wide sci policy there was, as of the establishment of the State, a rather clear res policy at the ministerial level, & this was esp true in the ministries of agri & defense, & it is in these 2 fields that sci has made the most signif contributions to the country. The recent reorg of gov sci is described, & the efforts of sci'ts for the industr'ization of the country. The dangers of smallness & sci policy in a small country, & how Israel has counteracted them, are detailed. Finally, problems of funding res & of providing sci advice to the gov are described. E. Weiman.