absorb scientific know-how, to bring nonparty intellectuals into the program, and to strive to catch up quickly with the world's most advanced levels in science. In March 1956, a 12-year plan embodying the party's policies was announced. Its broad outlines had been determined at the top level of the party on the basis of overriding political, military, and economic requirements. Most of the country's top scientists-plus 16 Soviet experts-were called in to assist in working out the details of the plan over the following 6 to 8 months. The authority for refinement of the plan and the development of supporting yearly plans has devolved onto lesser figures. By 1959, fewer Central Committee members appeared to be taking direct supervisory roles in the scientific and technological areas; however, lower ranking nontechnical party men still fill all the leading positions in the government's top scientific organs. The one reputable scientist who once had planning responsibilities, Li Ssu-kuang, was dropped when the present Scientific and Technological Commission was set up in 1959. It can be assumed safely that any further important national decisions on scientific matters will be made at the top level of the party, although the Scientific and Technological Commission can and will offer advice and may even originate policy recommendations. The relatively early stage of technical development in China permits the making of broad scientific policy decisions with less consideration for purely scientific criteria than is the case in countries with advanced technology. Research and development work in China is still largely of a "catching-up" type and does not yet involve much venturing alone into new and uncharted realms, either in pure or applied science. О SENATE NATIONAL POLICY MACHINERY IN REPORT OF MICHIGAN FEB 16 1960 MAIN REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS MADE BY ITS SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL POLICY MACHINERY (Pursuant to S. Res. 115, 86th Cong.) 49882 Printed for the use of the Committee on Government Operations UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1960 PURCHASED THRO DOC. EX. PROJEC FOREWORD The Subcommittee on National Policy Machinery was established in July 1959 to make the first full-scale review of the national security policy process since the discussion and debate preceding passage of the National Security Act of 1947. The subcommittee's goal is twofold: (1) to review the effectiveness of our present policymaking organizations and methods against the background of the changed perspectives and problems of the last 12 years; and (2) to make such recommendations for improvement of the policy process as are appropriate. Shortly after its creation, the subcommittee undertook to determine. how certain other countries, including nations of the Communist bloc, organize their governments for the making of national policy. Its staff, in cooperation with the executive branch, was requested to prepare appropriate studies. The first of these, dealing with national policy machinery in Communist China, was published earlier this month. This present study of national policy machinery in the Soviet Union further underscores the contrasts between the democratic and Communist systems. It describes "the Soviet apparatus in both a static and a dynamic sense" in order to "interweave what it is with how it works." The study should help promote a better understanding of the challenge confronting free societies. HENRY M. JACKSON, Chairman, Subcommittee on National Policy Machinery. |