Virginity

How to Lose Your Political Virginity while Keeping Your Scientific Credibility

by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, National Council for Science and the Environment

"Many biologists and other scientists shy away from the political process. The reasons for this lack of involvement include unfamiliarity with the legislative and other political processes, concerns that their science will somehow be compromised, and the dissatisfaction that many Americans feel with the political system. Yet there are many reasons—self-interest and the interests of the biota we study— for biologists to become educated about the political system and involved politically. Involvement can take a wide variety of forms, such as writing a letter that provides information about a topic of public debate, giving testimony at a public hearing, signing a letter that requests a particular action, or becoming involved in helping someone get elected to public office.

As Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) told the League of Conservation Voters—the group created by leaders of the environmental movement to evaluate legislators and to help elect pro-environment candidates — at their Earth Day gathering in 1999, “Without politics, there is no conservation; without politics, there is no wilderness”. Wilderness has existed since the earliest days of the planet, when all was wilderness. But until wilderness in the United States was protected by an act of Congress, and until individual wilderness areas were set aside, wilderness was not safe. It is also safe to say that, although legislation alone will not conserve biodiversity, without politics there will be no biodiversity.

For scientists to begin to interact with the political system, it is necessary to understand something about the job of making political decisions in our democracy. Elected officials are a special class of decisionmakers whose profession is to make decisions based on their perceptions of the views of the people who elect them. Their job description includes making decisions, choosing among alternatives, allocating resources that are usually insufficient for the tasks required, balancing or choosing among competing values and interests, and ultimately reaching compromise with individuals who profess and represent differing values. As one member of Congress said to me, “I vote for a living ". Not only do legislators vote for a living, but their ability to earn a living as an elected voting representative depends on their ability to convince the voting public to select them for this job. Their accountability comes up for ratification every two or six years, when they request that their employers—the voting public—grant them a job extension.

Even though the culture and values of the political system are very different from the culture of science, where the uncompromising search for truth is paramount, scientists have much to offer to the political process, including

specialized expert knowledge
critical thinking
objectivity
data and informed interpretations
credibility
independence
wisdom

Each of these is a valuable commodity that can help the decisionmaking process... "

"Table 1. Seventeen cardinal rules for working with Congress.

Convey that you understand something about Congress.

Demonstrate your grasp of the fundamentals of the congressional decisionmaking system.

Don’t seek support of science as an entitlement.

Don’t convey negative attitudes about politics and politicians.

Perform good intelligence gathering in advance.

Always use a systematic checklist.

Do your homework on the issue or problem.

Timing is vital.

Understand congressional limitations.

Make it easy for those in Congress to help you.

Keep the “bottom line” in mind.

Use time—yours and theirs—effectively.

Remember that members and staff are mostly generalists.

Don’t patronize either members or staff.

Don’t underestimate the role of staff in Congress.

Consider and offer appropriate follow-up.

Remember that the great majority of members and staff are intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated to public service.

Full text of article: How to Lose Your Political Virginity while Keeping Your Scientific Credibility