Politics and Science: A Soviet Perspective

This chapter explores the conflicting dynamics of scientific progress and political interference in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. It examines how the ideology under Stalin stifled scientific inquiry, leading to a decline in rigor and competitiveness, and highlights personal stories of scientists navigating this oppressive environment. The narrative also contrasts the historical brain drain to the U.S. with present-day challenges faced by scientists amid restrictive policies that threaten the integrity of scientific research.