82 SOCIAL SCIENTIST ranging over all the basic parameters of growth of science, not only of the '"input" of science (expenditures, number pf personnel) but also of the "output" (number of publications). Back in the 1950s, Price reached the conclusion that these parameters tended to grow like compound interest, doubling every 10-15 years. And having considered the inevitable socio-economic limitations of such growth, he predicted a break in the exponential curve upon the attainment of saturation. Price believed that the current decline in scientific activitity was inevitable and natural, being connected with the inner logic of growth of science, rather than with any social factors. According to Sheinin's theory the period of pulsation comes every four to five years; the growth of science tends to stop for one to three years relative to economic activity, only to build up for a fresh upswing. These pauses, according to Sheinin, are necessary to give society the results of science and technology. Consequently it is not saturation but pulsation which characterizes the growth of moderirVcience. Sheinin is correct in saying that knowledge cannot be put in cold storage but at the same time scientific personnel cannot go on increasing without limit since natural population is the limit to which this can increase; beyond that it cannot go on increasing. Equilibrium between Science and Nature Another problem of science organization is the centralization and decentralization tendency. The right mix of centralization and decentralization is a critical problem at the governmental level. At the present stage in the development of science organization, its solution in general terms boils down to a combination of centralization in the administration of scince and decentralization in research. Sheinin believes that the underestimation of equilibrium between science and nature has resulted in a grave distortion of the meaning and purpose of scientific and technical progress. In the absence of a comprehensive systems approach, this poses the threat of an ecological crisis. As far as the inner-science balance is concerned Sheinin criticizes Alvin Weinberg's criteria of evaluating science, which says that preference should go to the science which does the most to promote advance in allied sciences. Shei-nin's belief is that it is hardly practical since in the present conditions disciplinary approach itself is obsolete, as scientists have increasingly to deal with inter-disciplinary problems.