Main trends of research in the social and human ... - unesdoc - Unesco

The organization and financing of research 735
from government funds almost as much on the social sciences as Britain,
though the latter has seven times the population.16* In the Netherlands the
sources of social science support are more varied than in any other country,
since so many local government bodies and voluntary agencies commission
projects in addition to enterprises and departments of g0vernment.3~ Some 80 %
of this work is by contract. As much as IO% of overall scientific expenditure
in Holland and Sweden may now go to the social sciences. This is five times the
proportion common in the more supportive of the larger countries.
31. In the Federal Republic of Germany in 1964 R & D accounted for I .6 %
of GNP.~' The share in this of the humanities and the social sciences combined
was 5 %,
and of the social sciences themselves 2 %.
Industrial and other interest
groups provided a substantial proportion of these funds. Provincial governments
have been more active then the central government. In France for 1963 R & D
was 1.7% of GNP, of which the share of the humanities and social sciences
together was 2. I %49 This becomes 3 % if public funds alone are counted. These
are provided almost entirely from central sources. In Britain for 1963 R & D
was 2.4 % of GNP, of which the share of the social sciences (with the humanities
excluded) was rather less than I X.55 Some 70 % of these funds were channelled
through government but this estimate neglects an unascertainable contribution
from business. No estimate is available for Italy. Other Scandinavian countries
(N0rway,~5 1963, social sciences 4.6%, humanities 5.5 %), and Belgium64
(3.4 % social sciences, 5.2 % humanities, 1963), stand between the Netherlands
and Sweden16* and Germany (F.R.) and France.
32. To ascertain the relation between sectors of financial support and sectors
of research performance, international conventions have been followed. Within
the public sector higher education is distinguished from other government
departments. Within the private sector non-profit organizations, foundations,
etc., are distinguished from private enterprises and commercial agencies. Funds
raised and spent abroad are kept separate from domestic funds and expenditures.
The following table for Britain 1962-3 is adapted from data compiled for the
Heyworth Committee.55
UNITED KINGDOM. Social research expenditure (1962-63) (in f thousands)
Sector Sector performing research
providing Higher Govern- Business Non- Abroad Total
funds education ment profit
Higher education 1,655
Government 560 1,000 I 26
Business 85 NA I54
(1,000)
Non-profit 47 I 457
Abroad 248 140
Total 3,019 1,000 NA 877
NA = Not available.
t Unofficial estimate.
t
(I,OOO)t