What is the 'Holden's principle' that claimed that 'the government should not speak out of the use of research funding' 100 years ago?

by Nestlé

Providing research funding by the government is indispensable for researchers to advance cutting-edge scientific research and advance technology. On the other hand, if the government designates the use of research funding, free learning will be hindered. Regarding such research funds and government problems, British politician Richard Burdon Holden in 1918 said, "The use of research funds should be decided by researchers, not by politicians" " Haldane principle (Holden The principle of ") was proposed.

A 100th birthday wish: uphold academic freedom in dark times
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07518-3

In 1918, Britain dominated one fifth of the world as the "British Empire", people of the British Empire and colonists occupied a quarter of the whole population. However, due to the outbreak of World War I, the rule of the British Empire is shaking and in 1917 the British government responded to the world after the war and nominated Mr. Holden as chairman of the committee to reorganize British ministries Did. Various members such as Beatrice Webb , economist, and Edwin Montague who was Secretary of State for the British Indian Empire, were elected to the committee.

Mr. Holden was an experienced politician who once served as a British superintendent , but was accused of "British enemy" from the newspaper because he admired the German education and science organization that was in the process of war, I was chased after the post. Mr. Holden who studied philosophy at Georg Augusto University in Germany is also famous as a scholar, and in 1921 he has left several copies, including an introduction to Einstein physics commentary.

The committee submitted a report on approximately 80 pages to David Lloyd George , then Prime Minister in 1918, after the end of the First World War. This report contains various perspectives based on today's countries, with ministerial ministers on education and health stating that these ministries should actively seek advice from experts . Mr. Holden who was also a philosopher thought that the Minister was released from as detailed procedures as possible and thought that time was necessary to think over the policy thoroughly.

Also, as a particularly innovative recommendation in Mr. Holden 's report, it is pointed out that it has asked to establish a completely new ministry concerning "research and information". Mr. Holden said that the minister of this ministry should be a "highly trained thinker", not a minister such as a cabinet minister. According to the report, ministries concerning research and information are fusion of government think tank and research institute, "It is said that research funds should be provided for research before policies are determined".

Historian David Edgerton points out that "the principle of Holden" was not directly stated in the report submitted at that time. According to Mr. Edgarton, the principle of Holden was written in the memo of "Three Principles for Restructuring the Government" written between February and March 1918, We should not decide the use of research funding, "he said. The memorandum was written in a more direct language than the report, and it was intended that the Prime Minister of the time as the sender, such as "The prime minister has a strong role as a public relations officer for the people, not stupid" It is seen.

Ultimately Mr. Holden wanted the ministry concerning "research and information", but Mr. Holden's ideal is still handed down. Ministries and agencies related to today's science, technology and education are responsible for providing funds to research institutions such as educational institutions and universities and not only experts advise ministries but also in Germany and the UK Experts may also be involved in policy making related to industry.

When Mr. Holden's report arrived under Prime Minister George, Britain was very busy with the end of the First World War and had little impact on the actual policy. The content of the report got into the limelight from the end of the Second World War to the end of the war. In the Second World War, it has been noted that researchers from many countries have been cooperated in war and developed weapons including atomic bombs, and the necessity of weakening the involvement in scientific research by politics has been recognized It was beginning.

As a result of the distance between politics and scientific research, scientific research gradually raises questions about issues of the world independently. Movement such as scientists cooperate internationally and encourage the government to global warming and nature conservation is not uncommon now.

In recent years populism is rising and scientists are aware of the danger that the government will strengthen their involvement in their own research. Mr. Holden died in 1928, but the principle of Holden has been reported as an important insight without fading even after the century passed since advocation.