By Wu Yishan
Geoff Mulgan, also known as Zhou Ruogang in Chinese, is a professor of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy at University College London. Zhou Ruogang has a wealth of experience, having served as the Director of Policy in former British Prime Minister Blair's office and the founder and first director of the renowned British think tank, Demos. In recent years, he has been prolific in his writings. In September 2022, he published the book "Another World Is Possible: How to Reignite Social and Political Imagination." In March 2023, he published the book "Prophets at a Tangent: How Art Shapes Social Imagination." In November 2023, his book "When Science Meets Power" was published by Polity, a British publishing house.
The book "When Science Meets Power" analyzes the complex history of how the state has used science as a tool for conquering nature, achieving national glory, and promoting economic growth. It highlights the risks of controlling technological development, from nuclear weapons and genetic modification to artificial intelligence and synthetic biology. The author argues that governing science has become the greatest challenge of the 21st century, as the role of science governance becomes increasingly important in everyday politics and policymaking.
For a long time, there has been a complex collaborative relationship between science and politics. Scientists and policymakers should ideally be "allies," working together to solve societal problems. However, in developed countries, they often compete for power and advantage. The major difference between science and politics is that science revolves around facts and what we know, while politics considers our emotions and what we deem important. How can we coordinate the two to ensure that key decisions are evidence-based and legitimate?
Science can sometimes be a tool for politics and at other times a challenger. However, regardless of the role it plays, the friction between science and politics has intensified due to the increasing authority of science. Zhou Ruogang explains that the conflict between science and government partly arises from their similar goals but different approaches. Both sides want to provide solutions to social problems, but policymakers want quick answers, while scientists are accustomed to taking their time and thoroughly researching the problems. For example, the mayor of Mombasa, the second-largest city in Kenya, often faces the challenge of reducing losses caused by floods. The mayor cannot afford to wait for years for a computer model that provides the optimal disaster reduction plan.
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