Science in a changing world: A generalization of science and politics and their impacts on knowledge societies

In recent years, a profound structural change has taken place in science and research. Science is a field of study that tries to reveal dark secrets. The mass media reports extensively about scientific subjects. Besides helping design the environment, science also aims to develop reliable explanations of phenomena with the assistance of diverse experiments, trials or observations. The objective of science is to produce and systemize knowledge so that societies can benefit. In this context, science is the basic element of modern societies called “knowledge societies.” Scientific knowledge is transmitted through people (e.g., professors, teachers and scientists) or literature which should be objective, verifiable and pursuable. But who determines which questions are asked and which answers are accepted as valid? And how are scientists affected by this? In theory, science and research are free of all governmental influences but it is interesting to see how scientists are able to influence politicians with predictions and, conversely, how politicians influence them with their power. From this point of view, the main purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between science and politics and to present the current situation of science in a changing world. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology.