Социологическая наука и социальная практика (Mar 2017)
Respect for the Scientific Community as a Prerequisite to Confidence in Institute of Science in Modern Russia
Abstract
This article presents the dynamics of respect for the scientific community and confidence in Institute of Science in Russia. Respect and confidence are analyzed as temporal characteristics of social relationships. Respect is based on the projection of previous achievements and merits on to the present. And confidence is secured in the future. It is shown that, despite a high degree of confidence in the Russian Academy of Sciences, the credibility of scientists is declining. The author sees the reasons for this in the low respect for the scientific community in modern Russia. The history of the Institute of Science and the scientific community in Russia in the Petrine reforms is traced, and their commitment to official functions in relation to the state. In the Soviet period, the need for advanced scientific research and development to ensure defense and indicate advantages of the Soviet system to create conditions for progress turned science into one of the most important institutions and scientists into a respected social group. Scientific work became one of the most reliable lifts of social mobility. In the stagnation period, the intensity of scientific research and development implementation into the economy decreased, however, the high prestige of the scientist status led to an increase in imitation science activities. During the reform period in the 1990-s, respect for the scientific community slumped because of the absence of government and business demand of scientific research and development, downturn of scientists living standards, and loss of the science career attractiveness against the background of the growth of values of wealth and material success. The decrease in respect for the scientific community will lead to a further decline of confidence in science and scientists.
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