The Politics of Chemistry

Science and Power in Twentieth-Century Spain

Inbunden, Engelska, 2019

Av Agustí Nieto-Galan, Agustí Nieto-Galan, Agusti (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) Nieto-Galan, Agustí

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Agustí Nieto-Galan argues that chemistry in the twentieth century was deeply and profoundly political. Far from existing in a distinct public sphere, chemical knowledge was applied in ways that created strong links with industrial and military projects, and national rivalries and international endeavours, that materially shaped the living conditions of millions of citizens. It is within this framework that Nieto-Galan analyses how Spanish chemists became powerful ideological agents in different political contexts, from liberal to dictatorial regimes, throughout the century. He unveils chemists' position of power in Spain, their place in international scientific networks, and their engagement in fierce ideological battles in an age of extremes. Shared discourses between chemistry and liberalism, war, totalitarianism, religion, and diplomacy, he argues, led to advancements in both fields.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2019-08-22
Mått158 x 235 x 18 mm
Vikt630 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieScience in History
Antal sidor308
FörlagCambridge University Press
ISBN9781108482431

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List of figures; Preface; Acknowledgments; Chronology; List of abbreviations; Introduction; Biographies of power; A political chemistry; 1. Dreams of Modernity; 1.1 Cosmopolitanism; 1.2 Laboratories and schools; 1.3 Useful chemistry; 2. A republican science; 2.1 A new enlightenment; 2.2 Nobel visitors; 2.3 The Silver Age of industry; 3. War weapons; 3.1 A chemical civil war; 3.2 A damaged community; 3.3 Tortured skills; 4. Totalitarian ambitions; 4.1 Fascist chemistry; 4.2 Chemistry and religion; 5. Autarchic ambiguities; 5.1 'Our' chemicals; 5.2 'Technical' chemistry; 5.3 Chemical diplomacy; 6. Technocratic progress; 6.1 'Neutral' expertise; 6.2 Cold war allies; 6.3 Corporate chemistry; 7. Liberal dissent; 7.1 Chemists in exile; 7.2 Internal refugees; Conclusion: the moral ambiguity of chemistry; Pure-applied chemistry; Modernisation paradoxes; A troubled identity; Chemists as intellectuals; History and memory; Addendum: Juan Julio Bonet Sugrañes (1940–2006); Bibliography; Index.

'Scientists were prominent in building Spain's democratic Republic - two, the chemist José Giral and the physiologist Juan Negrín, became prime ministers. Science under the Franco dictatorship was dominated by one chemist, José María Albareda while another, Manuel Lora-Tamayo, was Minister of Education and Science in the 1960s. This fascinating and totally original work examines the links between chemistry and politics in a way that casts its light far beyond the specifics of Spain.' Paul Preston, London School of Economics and Political Science