The Tragedy of American Science

The Tragedy of American Science This is a review of the book ‘The Tragedy of American Science’ by Clifford D Connor. It is a book that should be read by everyone who is concerned about the state and future of human life on this planet. My initial interest was in regard to the progress that has been made by numerous American Scientists. I should point out that the book refers to Science in the United States but the significance of what the author presents extends to the whole of the field of science. What the author demonstrates, without the shadow of a doubt is the criminality of the capitalist system. There is no other word that correctly defines the effect of capitalism on the scientific endeavour. We are led to believe that it is through capitalism that the world has progressed to provide for most people, at least in the developed world of United States, Britain and Europe, are able to live at a standard of material satisfaction greater that ever before achieved. Further, we are led to believe that the basis for that level of achievement is the scientific progress that has been made. Further we are led to believe that if only the standards of free enterprise capitalism were to be employed throughout the world then everyone could enjoy those same benefits. We are told that our leaders, our scientists, our novelists, are the good guys in this world, because our Country and those of our allies are the ‘good’ countries. Every thing that is wrong in the world is because of the aggressive attempts at domination by those counties that they claim are ‘communist’. In the words of Margaret Thatcher ‘there is no alternative’ to our present system. Daily experience tells us that we are not having the panacea that the propagandists promote. And yet so many of us go along believing what we are told. In so many ways people in different walks of life go along with these myths and add their voices in promoting them. What Clifford D Connor does is take a critical look at the science in the United States, ‘From the cold war to the forever war’ and gives the lie to all the promotional gush. The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with ‘The corporatization of American Science’ In these chapters he tlks about the green revolution, gives examples of how the Tobacco Industry and Pharmaceutical Companies operate. He shows how Academic- Industrial complex, when they can no longer disprove the attacks made upon them set out to muddy the water, to create doubt and to make issues that are abundantly clear into matters of debate, when in fact there is no disputing that the science is totally in support of those who are challenging the companies. His section section, ‘Te militarization of American Science’ is even more devastating as he deals with issues relating to warfare, from a-bombs and H-bombs, through th development of missiles and drones and on to cyberwarfare. He shows that, although the Unites States is not the sole perpetrator of these elements of war, they are certainly the leaders of the art. His final section is the most damning of all. It is horrific to read the chapter on ‘Operation Paper clip: ‘The Nazification of American Science’, in which he describes how leading Nazi scientists were incorporated into United States scientific work and used to help develop the kinds of technique they had been working on during World War 2 In a final part he looks to alternative ways forward. He describes how post capitalist regimes in Russia, China and Cuba have been able to develop science in ways that have been beneficial to mankind. The book is not an ‘anti science book’. It is a cry for science to be used, not to further yhe industrial-military complex, but to improve the lives of all the people on the planet. What is clear, from every day life and from books like this one, there is no future for human beings within a capitalist system. We have to move away from a profit driven, competitive, accumulative system to one based on public need and public control. Such a society is possible, for a brief period it was achieved in Russia immediately after the 1917 Revolution. But to achieve such a society a revolution in the way of thinking is required. We have to take a hard critical look at our own country and recognise that all is not well, indeed has never been. It will need a coming together in solidarity, a recognition that Marx was right, that the only way we can be free is when the working class unites and is determined to change society. There are signs that this may be beginning to happen as workers across the world begin to take strike action and the working class says Enough is Enough. But time is not on our side. Scribar 03.09.22