Physicists and public policy: the “Forum” and the APS Available to Purchase

Since World War II physicists have played a prominent role in developing weapons policy and science policy for our country. This interaction with the government has been carried out largely behind the scenes, beyond the public view, by an elite group of established and renowned physicists working through such institutions as the President's Science Advisory Committee, the National Academy of Sciences and the JASON program of the Institute for Defense Analyses. By and large most physicists have had no role in this process. In the past the physics profession has not encouraged physicists to involve themselves in public policy. It has not provided reward and recognition for this kind of activity.