‘Science and technology do not exist independent of the society, its culture and value system. They are part of the socio-economic and political framework of a given society’. Analyze this statement by giving suitable examples.

‘Science and technology do not exist independent of the society, its culture and value system. They are part of the socio-economic and political framework of a given society’. Analyze this statement by giving suitable examples.

A.   As science and technology provide all the necessities as well as many of the ideas that hold our society together, society itself provides the environment and the atmosphere for science and technology to either grow fast or stagnate or even decay. Science and technology do not exist independent of the society, its culture and the value system. They are a part of the socio-economic and political framework of a given society. Motivation for the practical application of science and, hence, its growth and use comes from the economic needs of the society. The economic planning and policy of a society determine its social programmes and the purposes and goals of society's production activity, which in turn provides the incentive for scientific growth. However, answers to questions like what kind of economic policy will be pursued, whether the social programmes will be implemented, and to what extent, depends on the political and social organization of a society. Thus, science and technology can be more directly influenced by the general policies and social structure of a society. For example, when economic growth is purely determined by market demands, artificial demands for goods are created by advertising, even though there is no pressing need for them.
            Ideas of people are sought to be moulded by propaganda carried on by radio or television or even by education. The competition to produce more goods, increase profits or the desire to provide fancy goods to an influential section of population results in one kind of development of science and technology. On the other hand, if society desires and plans to improve rural life or give priority to public health or provide a certain level of nutrition to all citizens, the tasks and consequent development of science and technology should follow a different path. Still another example is the question of spending money on weapon of offense or defense that naturally affects science and technology.
             It is known that the world today is annually spending Rs. 15 lakh crores on weapons and their development. This not only takes away money needed to feed, clothe or provide health and shelter to people, but it also prevents the development of science and technology for constructive purposes. We can conclude that science and technology are part and parcel of a larger social system, whose other components are industry, agriculture, trade, distribution of goods, communication, education, government, and administration, etc.
            Science and technology cannot be advanced by viewing them in isolation. The whole social, economic and political system will have to work in unison so that all round advancement can take place. In the end, we can say that science influences the entire social edifice, the material as well as ideological, and in turn science itself is influenced by society and its objectives. Before any project is taken up, its positive, as well as negative aspects, the effect it will have on human beings and the environment, must be properly evaluated. "Social good" must have primacy in the overall planning and the use to which science and technology is put.