Every second person considers science in Austria to depend on politics and business. 43 percent also think that health policy decisions are not made on the basis of scientific knowledge. These results are “questionable” and also have social implications, says study author Christina Hainzl.
For the study, employees of the Danube University Krems and the University of Graz surveyed about 2,600 people aged 14 and older online. The most important result: half of those surveyed do not believe that science in this country works independently of political and economic influence. Differences are shown by age, party preference and education level. Younger (up to 24 years) and older (65 years and older) people are more convinced of the independence of science than middle-aged groups.
Voters FPÖ and MFG skeptical
With regard to educational background, academics are the least skeptical. 90 percent of them rely on scientific findings. For people who have compulsory education as their highest qualification, this is only two thirds. This value is high in an international comparison. With regard to voting behaviour, it appears that especially supporters of the ruling parties ÖVP and Greens believe in independent science. For SPÖ and NEOS supporters, that’s about two-thirds. Most skeptical are the voters of the FPÖ and the MFG. Just over one in four (FPÖ) or less than one in five (MFG) people believe in independent science.
“Of course, if half of the people say that scientific findings are not independent, this is also a social perspective that needs further consideration,” said study author Christina Hainzl, who is co-leader of the “Austrian Democracy Lab” project. The value is questionable.
Bad testimony to politics in a pandemic
The public’s confidence that health policy decisions are made on the basis of scientific knowledge is also not particularly high. 57 percent is of this opinion, although there are differences in voting behaviour. Things look even worse with the political decisions made during the pandemic. Only 39 percent think this is understandable.
Confidence in doctors is again high (81 percent). Here the FPÖ and MFG voters again differ (56 and 45 percent, respectively). “Should there be future measures and communication tasks in the health sector, then one should certainly try to involve doctors,” concludes Hainzl.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
