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Why Does Science Matter to a Democratic
Society?
It is openly expressed that the same virtues that make
democracy work are the elements that make science work. The correlation between
science and democracy is seen in the world from different aspects. As such,
science can be used to enhance democracy in the world. Several aspects can be
stated in concern to the correlation between science and democracy. First,
there is commitment to transparency and reasoning. Secondly, there is critical
scrutiny and openness. Thirdly, there is the ability to admit ignorance and uncertainty
in making decisions. In fact, there is no aspect of the modern society that
lacks elements of science. In the recent times, human beings have been
involving science to ensure effectiveness and accuracy. As such, science is one
of the highly embraced developments of the century (Brown 12). As a fact,
science is utilized in the economy, in social aspect, politics, environment,
and even healthcare sector. In essence, science is a better approach to solving
issue. As such, this makes life better and easy. Similarly, it has helped make
the environment habitable, hospitable, and adaptable (Basu, Barton and Edna 13).
Consequentially, science is important in the democracy of a society or region.
Science helps in solving problems as it facilitates different approaches to
incumbent problems while mitigating a situation to avoid any future occurrence.
In the United States of America context, the incumbent
government has been on the forefront to mention that science and technology is
the bedrock of success. This has been a point of focus of the incumbent
government in ensuring science is a factor in enhancing the performance of the government.
It is evident that the government involves highly educated administrators with
vast influence in science. It is noted that the people with scientific
competence are given the jobs of managing strategies in the country. As such,
they are responsible to enhance greater improvement by using scientific
innovations. With the possible and appropriate scientific innovations, there is
a great impact. For example, there is a need to provide better healthcare
services to the whole nation (Jasanoff 14). This aspect will directly and
indirectly affect the democracy of a country. a healthy nation will participate
in the democratic chores of a nation. Similarly, they will be corporative with
the administration. However, when the healthcare services are haphazardly
rendered, a larger part of the population will be affected. This will in the
end affect the democracy of a country, as the people will not show commitment. Therefore,
there is a need to embrace science and scientific innovations in such
situations. When scientific innovations are embrace, there will be generation
of better solutions to the incumbent problems. However, without any focus on
science, the democracy of the nation is likely to record an insignificant
improvement. This will affect the entire population, as they will not be
satisfied with the efforts of the governing bodies.
In the yester years, terrorism and terrorist attacks have
been rampant. The unforgettable 9/11 attack is still vivid in many people’s
minds. As a fact, government officials have been ensuring there is increased
security in most parts of the world. After the attacks, the US government
passed the PATRIOT Act. This was to safeguard the population of United States
and their democracy. It is noted that the democracy of a country will be
enhanced when there is increased security. To enhance security, the government
has engaged scientific innovations. For example, there are innovations that
survey for any unauthorized aircrafts in the air. This is to notify the
security agencies of any impending attacks. Similarly, the security in airports,
travelling agencies and on the borders has been improved. This has been made
possible by the use of scientific innovations. The scientific innovations are
evidently used in protecting the democracy of the nation. As a result, the
chances of attacking the population are minimized to lower levels. With the enhancement
of scientific innovation in surveillance and governance, it is almost impossible
to plan terror attacks without being recognized. However, in the yester years,
scientific innovations were not fully utilized (Brown 14). This states the
reason why terrorists were successful in the past. When people are attacked,
they do not express their freedom and rights. For example, most people were
confined to their residences after the 9/11 terror attacks. This jeopardized
their democracy as they were forced to limit any movements in their own
country.
Voting is a democratic way of electing leaders of choice. Democracy
dictates that the wish of the majority will be served. Therefore, there is a need
to enhance transparency by providing a free and fair election. While elections
are in place, there is a tendency of tension. This is especially experienced in
countries where scientific innovations are not used to enhance democracy. However,
in developed countries like the United States, scientific innovations have been
used to perfect democracy. People vote their leaders while observing decorum
and utter obedience to the law of the land. As such, the people elect their
chosen leaders in the best manner possible. Previously, rigging votes was a
prevalent occurrence. Countries that have experienced rigging especially in
vote counting experience post election tension (Basu, Barton and Edna 18). This
could lead to an unimaginable situation where people turn against each other.
On the other hand, when the government enacts the use of scientific
innovations, such occurrences are annihilated. The people will be contented
with the voting and election exercises. As a result, there will be peaceful
coexistence. Therefore, scientific innovations and use of science in enhancing
democracy is a proven fact. Countries that have embraced scientific innovations
have developed democracies, which exhibit transparency, openness, willingness,
and readiness to serve. For example, the elections in the United States of
America are conducted via scientific innovations. Though the United States’
population is large, all the legible voters exercise their voting rights.
Apparently, the voting period is long to allow all the people to vote. This is evidential
that embracing scientific innovations in enhancing democracy is practical.
In the recent past, many organizations and environmentalists
have been highlighting the need to conserve the environment. Apparently, some
people feel that it is the responsibility of the government to enhance environmental
conservation. The people vote with intention of electing a government that will
highlight such concerns. In the same line, the governments in the world have to
provide solutions to the stated problems. As such, the governments have to use scientific
innovations in providing solutions. For example, the governments engage
scientific forecasts (Jasanoff 9). This enhances the environment, making it
hospitable and bearable. As a result, the people will feel they are served
accordingly. This will enhance the democracy of a country, as the population will
feel indebted to the government of the day. However, when the environment is
inhospitable, democracy will be jeopardized. The population will be engaged in finding
solutions, while neglecting democracy. Therefore, there is a need to enhance scientific
innovations to enhance democracy.
In conclusion, scientific innovations and engagement of
science in the world is a prudent approach. Scientific innovations and science
are fundamental in improving the world. As a result, science is used in voting,
enhancing security and strategizing on improving the democracy. Therefore, the
enhancement of science should be embraced.
Works Cited
Basu, Sreyashi J, Barton A. Calabrese, and
Edna Tan. Democratic Science Teaching: Building the Expertise to Empower
Low-Income Minority Youth in Science. Rotterdam: SensePublishers, 2011.
Print.
Brown, Mark B. Science in Democracy:
Expertise, Institutions, and Representation. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press,
2009. Print.
Jasanoff, Sheila. Designs on Nature:
Science and Democracy in Europe and the United States. Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 2008. Print.
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