Involvement of Civil Engineers in Politics

Many engineering students choose to become civil engineers because of the fundamental impact the profession has on people’s daily lives. However, most do not realize that their chosen profession demands not only an obligation to public service, but also a responsibility to their community and to their local government. The general public stereotypes civil engineers as practical technicians who avoid politics and other such multivariable and often subjective processes that do not result in a clear-cut answer. Yet, by avoiding the political process, civil engineers overlook the crucial interdependence that exists between civil engineering and government. “Both politics and science are expected to operate in the service of mankind. On that common ground politicians and scientists should work together in wholehearted cooperation” (Mather 1953). It is the legal and moral obligation of civil engineers to ensure that the safety and welfare of the public are maintained. In order to better fulfill this task, professional civil engineers must undertake more substantial and visible roles in their local government.

Most civil engineers are generally not interested in even discussing politics, much less becoming involved with them. To most civil engineers, the political arena appears to be a bureaucratic hodgepodge held together by a maze of red tape; this contrasts directly with the step-by-step logic that impels a civil engineer through his or her daily work. The political process has many twists, turns, and loopholes that seem too convoluted to an engineer who cannot tolerate rash or illogical thought. Political decisions are often viewed as irrational or ambiguous, and are influenced by a variety of variables. Government progress is difficult to observe and measure, unlike a civil engineer’s project, which has defined deadlines and prescribed results that can be calculated frequently (ASCE Government Relations Staff 2002).

Since negative stereotypes surround both the political and engineering professions, preconceived notions often hinder the meeting of the minds. Civil engineers are commonly stereotyped as having poor communication and people skills. Most have demonstrated a wealth of technical knowledge, but often have trouble communicating effectively with a business-minded politician, due in part to the large difference in the specialized jargon. The thought of dealing with elected officials that seem larger than life and are often perceived as inaccessible frequently deters engineers from approaching politicians and the political process (ASCE Government Relations Staff 2002). Also, politicians are regularly generalized in the popular media as unethical, greedy bureaucrats out for personal gain, which sharply contrasts with an engineer’s strict code of ethics.

As stated by the ASCE Code of Ethics, canon 1, it is the duty of civil engineers “to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and … recognize that the lives, safety, health, and welfare of the general public are dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions, and practices” (ASCE 1996). It is the responsibility of civil engineers to protect and promote public health and safety, whether through safe roads, stable bridges, or sturdy buildings. In order for civil engineers to perform these tasks successfully, the support of government is vital. Through the legislative and executive processes, government can help publicly define the civil engineering field as a people-serving profession. The political process of making lasting changes to improve public safety has often required reviewing recent trends, modifying current regulations, or formulating new laws (Wang 2002). These laws address the real-world application of a civil engineer’s technical work, and therefore are vital to the effectiveness of the civil engineering profession.

Not only is government essential to a civil engineer’s responsibilities, but it is also crucial to the survival of the profession as a whole. Government is responsible for making decisions that affect issues such as licensing regulations for engineers, funding for each facet of infrastructure, and statutes and laws that regulate lawsuits against civil engineers (Layne 2002). Government is vital in upholding the standards of the profession and improving the integrity of the field. Since a substantial portion of a civil engineer’s work is for the public sector, government funding is critical to the well being of the profession. “Government has the power and influence to take important projects from the drawing board to reality” (Wang 2002). Many public projects would never come to fruition if it were not for government funding.

Input from civil engineers can help develop good ideas into new projects; technical advice can make a difference in obtaining funding approval. As Florida governor Jeb Bush stated in his inaugural speech, “Government will be unencumbered to make a true difference where it is most needed and where it can be most effective: education, public safety, public works, and the protection of the frailest and weakest among us” (Bush 2000). It is the primary goal of government to serve the needs of the public. Unfortunately, the average legislator does not have the educational background or experience to always make informed decisions on complex scientific, engineering, or technical issues (Layne 2002). In the political arena, a lawyer’s skills and business mindset are common whereas the expertise of engineers is lacking. Politicians struggle with an overwhelming number of decisions and need sound, practical technical advice. Sometimes, when technical support is unavailable or too complex, decisions are often made without it. Lawmakers depend on advice from their staff and their advocates in the engineering community. It is necessary for local government to have support from the civil engineering profession in order to improve the welfare of Americans everywhere.

By improving the roots of American democracy at the local level, civil engineers can help the nation progress as a whole. It is necessary for civil engineers to help shape solutions for their local government to improve the quality of life. Not only can the civil engineering profession’s knowledge be useful for the improvement of America’s domestic infrastructure, but it is also crucial to military and international success. Within the past years, civil engineers have been vital to the rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq through improving troop living conditions, utilizing the environment accordingly, and aiding in the reconstruction of the neighboring communities.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in the year 2000 civil engineers held about 232,000 jobs in the United States, one third of which were in federal, state, and local government agencies (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2002). One of the most direct ways to get involved in politics is as a municipal engineer within a city’s public works division. The mission statement for the City of Orlando (Florida) Department of Public Works typifies the goals of civil engineers. “The mission of the Public Works Department is to enhance Orlando’s quality of life through the construction and operation of a safe, effective physical environment; and to provide our visitors, our neighborhoods, and our businesses the efficient, quality services necessary to support the infrastructure demands of our growing, diverse community” (City of Orlando Public Works Dept. 2003). Specifically, the municipal engineer must oversee these operational aspects of the city. “The civil engineering and public administration duties are so interrelated that it is nearly impossible to separate them. It is precisely this combination of responsibilities that makes a municipal engineering position challenging and unique” (Randolph 2003).

In 2001, only 3 of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives listed engineering as their occupation in the congressional directory (Layne 2002). However, at other levels, civil engineers are engaged in the political process in larger numbers. The secretary of transportation for the state of Florida, Mr. Jose Abreu, is a licensed professional civil engineer. He believes that his civil engineering background is important to his responsibilities “because at the end of the day, [the] final product or service is planned, designed, and constructed by engineers. If you’re going to make shoes—get a shoemaker” (Jose Abreu, personal communication, Jan. 12, 2004). Often, civil engineers are known as builders, not as policymakers. However, Mr. Denver Stutler, P.E., who was recently appointed chief of staff to Florida governor Jeb Bush (Jose Abreu, personal communication, Jan. 12, 2004), is one excellent example of an engineer who is shaping public policy. By his example of full-time dedication to public service, Stutler understands “the importance of our founding fathers’ intentions of having ‘real’ people involved in the process, stepping up and adding value” (Tyson 2003).

In 2002, a little over half of this country’s civil engineers were employed nationwide by firms providing engineering consulting services, which means most do not work directly in government (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2002). Despite this, there are many other ways to stay involved with local government. Most importantly, a civil engineer should stay informed of recent happenings in the community. Not only is this useful in determining what work will be available in the near future, but it also allows the individual to remain an integral part of the community. “Understanding the interrelationship among political, natural, social, and economic systems and the influence they have on things affects not only today’s design solutions, but also subsequent designs that may be a part of the ‘connectivity’” (Tyson 2003).

Each civil engineer citizen has the right to vote for officials who share their views on how the public can best be served and protected. Additionally, as citizens, civil engineers have the right to attend municipal council and board meetings where crucial issues are being debated and decided. Through schooling, civil engineers “develop the skills to analyze, criticize, and comment on public policy” (Jose Abreu, personal communication, Jan. 12, 2004). Communication is the key—by visiting their local politicians, relationships are developed and information can be shared. As a professional group, civil engineers can become a more powerful lobby for influencing the political process.

“Engineering is a tangible process wherein engineers use their skills to design, construct, and operate entities that have a direct bearing on the public’s quality of life” (ASCE Government Relations Staff 2002). It is crucial that civil engineers are involved in government; the public depends on it. The success of America’s infrastructure, defense, and international relations requires that civil engineers and politicians work together to best serve the public. As Jose Abreu stated, “I see engineering as a noble profession. We were the first civil servants—probably going back to Roman times. We were civil servants first and engineers second. I am just a public servant doing the best I can for the people I serve” (Jose Abreu, personal communication, Jan. 12, 2004).