This work investigates how the British political system integrates scientific and technological expertise into the formulation of national policy. Norman J. Vig examines the institutional structures and decision-making processes that governed the relationship between the scientific community and the government during the mid-20th century. By analyzing the evolution of advisory bodies and ministerial roles, the author argues that the political apparatus struggled to reconcile technical complexity with democratic accountability.

Scholars in the field of science policy recognize this text as a detailed historical account of the institutional challenges inherent in technocratic governance. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for understanding the evolution of British administrative structures.