Abstract

With the end of the Cold War the relationship between science and politics has witnessed a radical revision with respect to the golden age period of strong support to basic research, characteristic of the period from the Second World War to the end of the sixties. The political, social and economical basis of the present reduced interest of governments in basic research are discussed. The importance of the correct evaluation of research projects and scientific publications in the western world is stressed and the actual review techniques are illustrated. The future of financial support to research is then discussed in terms of global collaboration among countries.