Book Reviews Let Science And Technology Play A Huge Role In National Construction

? ? ? ? Since 1900, the United States has benefited from the steady and rapid development of science and technology. Although it has experienced two world wars, the scientific and technological achievements formed in 1920-1970 are the main force supporting the American economy. The economic growth of the United States in the last century is the inevitable result of the application of science and technology. Looking back on this period of history, we can not ignore a report, that is, the work of American scientist and engineer Vanessa bush in wartime, and an important report that changed the history of science and technology and industry of the United States and human beings at the end of the war. This report is not long, included in the book "science: Endless Frontier", only more than 50 pages. In the second half of the book, Ren Zhengfei, Xiang songzuo, Li Di and other relevant experts from enterprises, research institutions and universities are published in the second half of the book. The publication of this book is very timely, which has important reference value for China to formulate science and technology policy and organize scientific research work.

? ? ? The report submitted in July 1945, after five years of debates and discussions in Congress, led to the promulgation of the "National Science Foundation act" in the United States, which defined "promoting basic research and education in the scientific field" as the principle of national policy. The government began to support basic research in mathematics, physics, medicine, biology and other scientific fields through funding and contracts. By the 1960s, U.S. federal government funding for R & D increased more than 20 times compared with 1940. As the head of the office of scientific research and development of the White House at that time, Bush put forward the specific plan for the United States to become a world science and technology power through the report, which was based on the suggestions of several science and technology committees established by the United States in wartime.

? ? ? ? The reason why science and technology policy is important is that "scientific progress is a necessity". Without scientific progress, "no amount of achievements in other fields can ensure our health, prosperity and security". This idea clearly points out the fundamental value of science for national development. It is necessary to draw a conclusion that the government's support for scientific research is necessary for the development of public welfare. After applied research and development, the results of basic research will eventually be used by more people. Scientific research is divided into three levels: basic research, research between basic and applied research, and applied research. According to the actual situation of the United States, it is suitable for universities and private research institutions, government research institutions and enterprises to undertake respectively.

It should be a long-term policy for the government to pay attention to the health, well-being and safety of the people and to promote the opening up of new scientific frontiers. In the United States, scientific research carried out by government agencies has ultimate practical goals, but usually involves long-term research of fundamental nature in a broader field. This is similar to the situation in China, and the main force of science and technology is national research institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The government has the ability and motivation to bear the high cost that private sector capital can not afford, but the business objectives are not clear. We can see that the development of science and technology in the United States began to slow down at the end of the 20th century, which may be related to the reduction of financial support for R & D by the US federal government since the Vietnam War, in which the cost of basic research has dropped sharply. Although the R & D expenditure of industrial enterprises has been increasing, it has failed to make up for the loss of government support for basic research. Enterprise R & D investment is almost entirely focused on its own short-term and medium-term interests, which can not support innovative basic research that everyone can benefit from.

? ? ? ? Basic research is non-commercial. In the second half of the 19th century, the basic inventions of European scientists in the United States greatly promoted the development of practical technology, thus creating the most brilliant American Era from 1920 to 1970. However, the Bush report timely warned that a country relying on others to obtain basic scientific knowledge will slow down its industrial progress. As for the large amount of scientific and technological achievements accumulated by the United States during World War II, the report puts forward forward forward-looking suggestions to make these scientific knowledge and technologies available to the public as far as possible, so as to transform them into civil technologies as soon as possible. The report also proposes tax reduction and exemption for R & D expenses, improvement of patent system, and adjustment of policy ideas and measures, so as to send talented or pre war active servicemen engaged in scientific research to universities and scientific research institutions as soon as possible. We should also seize the great opportunity of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in time, so that science and technology can give full play to its great energy in national construction.

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