Social Contents Of Scientific And Technological Revolution

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This essay critically examines the social implications of the scientific and technological revolution, particularly highlighting the divergence between the optimistic assumption of its inherent humanist and rationalistic potential and the complex realities observed in both developed and developing nations. The author, Yogendra Singh, argues that the historical and sociological contexts in which scientific and technological revolutions are promoted in rich and poor nations are not harmonious and often lead to international relationships of domination, exploitation, and neo-colonialism.

Singh challenges the simplistic view that scientific and technological progress automatically fosters ideologies of rational humanism, socialism, and world brotherhood. He contends that this assumption is falsified by contemporary history, which reveals a disconnect between the progress in science and technology and the resolution of fundamental human dilemmas like prejudice, exploitation, and violence. A significant contradiction arises when the power derived from scientific and technological advancements is used by dominant minorities to suppress the very rational and humanistic aspirations that science is theoretically meant to promote.

The author attributes the failure of this optimistic view to the ideological and ahistorical methodologies often employed by social scientists. He criticizes the "fallacy of over-abstraction," which overlooks that science and technology are deeply embedded in specific social and historical contexts, shaped by existing social contradictions. Analyses originating from technologically advanced nations often suffer from "culturological fallacies" by presenting science and technology as purely universalistic and symbolic systems, ignoring their instrumental potential for perpetuating power asymmetries.

Singh argues that science and technology are not merely cognitive systems but also "structures and resources embodying instrumental potentials at the hands of classes or nations for perpetuation of relationships based on the asymmetry of domination and power." The dominant paradigm wrongly assumes that science governs technology and that this relationship inherently leads to social progress based on universal humanism and egalitarianism. The author emphasizes the need to contextualize the ideological goals of science and technology within their structural realities.

A key structural issue identified is the inversion of the sequence of scientific and technological revolutions. Historically, technological advancements often preceded scientific breakthroughs. However, in the contemporary era, scientific revolution is increasingly dependent on technological progress and a society's capacity to manage these advancements. This creates a fundamental contradiction.

The essay highlights the stark disparities in the promotion of scientific and technological revolutions between developed and developing nations. These disparities manifest in the uneven distribution of scientific manpower and resources, with developed countries concentrating 90% of scientists and a significant portion of the world's industrial output relying on imported technologies from these nations.

The import of technology into developing countries, according to Singh, generates further structural contradictions. It leads to balance of payment problems, the transfer of inappropriate technologies (e.g., capital-intensive), and a distortion of national priorities. Imported technologies often cater to the consumption patterns of elite groups rather than the basic needs of the majority. This dependence, coupled with the historical reliance of developing countries' scientific institutions on those in developed nations, marginalizes their scientists and alienates them from local needs.

The author concludes that underdevelopment not only limits investment in research and development in poorer nations but also distorts the role of science and scientists by artificially linking them to the systems of developed countries. The resulting "elitism" in the scientific professions of developing nations exhibits characteristics of neo-colonialism, surviving on dependency relationships rather than autonomous growth aligned with societal needs.

Ultimately, Singh argues for a strong inter-relationship between scientific and technological revolution and social revolution, especially in developing societies. This necessitates fundamental structural changes in their social systems, including the orientation and organization of elites and middle classes. For nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, scientific and industrial revolutions must proceed hand-in-hand with social revolution. This means structural changes in social stratification, power structures, and elite ideologies to foster science and technology that benefit the common people and the organic interests of their societies, preventing them from becoming instruments of neo-colonialism. The essay concludes with a quote from Mao Tse-tung emphasizing the importance of putting theory into practice, particularly in revolutionary struggle and societal transformation.