G.J. Somsen

Neutrality in Twentieth-Century Europe. Intersections of Science, Culture, and Politics after the First World War

Whether in science or in international politics, neutrality has sometimes been promoted, not only as a viable political alternative but as a lofty ideal – in politics by nations proclaiming their p ...

Universalism in Action: Ideals and Practices of International Scientific Cooperation

In 1934 and 1937 the International Council of Scientific Unions, the world’s over-arching organization of the natural sciences, issued a number of declarations speaking out against ‘a too exclusive nationalism’. The economic crisis and the rise of fascism had created a climate of chauvinism and belligerence that, it was claimed, ran counter what science stood for: peace, cooperation and internationalism. These statements are remarkably political coming from an official scientific body. They are also surprising in the light of recent experiences with international cooperation in science, which had been highly strained since Versailles. This chapter analyses the background of the statements. Rather than the reflection of timeless scientific values, they should be seen as the result of a particular movement of left-wing scientists who organised themselves transnationally and used the ICSU as a platform for a largely socialist voice, with the sound of science.

Science, Fascism, and Foreign Policy: The Exhibition “Scienza Universale” at the 1942 Rome World’s Fair

This essay analyzes the exhibition “Scienza Universale,” which was to be a central part of the 1942 world’s fair in Rome. Although in the end World War II kept the fair from happening, the plans for the exhibit were finished, and they allow for an in-depth analysis of the propagandistic uses of science in fascist Italy. The essay investigates what the regime sought to accomplish with a public display of science, why it chose to stress science’s universal character, and how various stakeholders’ motives played out in the exhibit design. Although fascism is not generally known for either its embrace of science or its internationalism, in this instance both played a major role in the way the state presented itself. “Universal Science,” as depicted in the exhibit, carried messages that were meant to promote a fascist conception of civilization and world order and to stake out Italy’s position vis-à-vis Nazi Germany in particular.

Review of Les Racines Socales et Économiques des Principia de Newton: Une Rencontre entre Newton et Marx à Londres en 1931.

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