2022 年 31 巻 2 号 p. 153-171
The U.S. federal government has had great influence on the historical course of science and technology (S&T) since the end of World War II. This article discusses how the overall nature and structure of contemporary S&T have evolved to this day in relation with changing agendas of the U.S. federal government. Identifying six trends that have emerged in the history of contemporary S&T, the article suggests that they have been correlated to changing policy priorities of the U.S. federal government. The article also points out that the basic structure which has supported S&T in contemporary society has been transformed, that the foundations for governmental control of S&T have been fundamentally undermined, and that the way in which the government would engage with S&T is undergoing a major change.
