Helping Politico-Engineers off the Endangered Species List

Engineers, in comparison with lawyers, have a fuller comprehension of the uncertainties associated with technology. Technological innovations provide benefits, but often they also lead to unforeseen problems. Accurately assessing the level of risk and value dilemmas associated with new technologies is imperative to lawmakers, as they often need to compromise and simultaneously make the optimal decision. Engineers are trained in risk analysis and therefore understand better than lawyers the limitations of technology.

One example of a societal problem that will require advances in technological knowledge is sustainability. Meeting the fundamental human needs while preserving the life-support systems of planet Earth is the essence of sustainable development (Kates 2001). It is the idea of developing and changing the environment in such a way that will not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Ultimately, scientific issues must be balanced with economic and social considerations, and thus sustainability must appear on the political agenda. Engineers, because of their education and experience with technology, are better prepared to make significant decisions on technological matters related to sustainability. Not only are engineers more qualified to deal with the issue, but codes of ethics actually obligate them to focus their efforts on the balancing of values with other demands. The ASCE Code of Ethics states, “Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development.” Civil engineers have a unique responsibility to society to promote sustainable development especially through political involvement.

Sustainability goes beyond the boundaries of our nation. Many countries lack the vibrant engineering enterprises and institutions that are essential to solve sustainability-related problems (Leshner 2002). The dilemma is exacerbated because lawyer-politicians lack adequate scientific expertise. Problems of sustainability and a clean environment can be alleviated through long-term international collaborations spearheaded by engineers. American engineers that become involved in politics better the quality of life in these countries and thus fulfill their duty to enhance the welfare of humanity.

Another potential obstacle for engineers to transition into politics is the process of decision making. Engineers, while having the necessary qualifications of education and knowledge, use a slightly different decision-making process than politicians to accomplish their goals. Technical decision-making consists of steps that facilitate choosing one alternative from the many available by identifying an existing problem, listing alternative problem solutions, selecting the most beneficial alternative, and implementing the chosen alternative.

The political thought process for decision-making involves similar steps, but with more focus on justification, compromise, and specific evaluation methods:Note that the political process places greater emphasis on the stakeholders, but both methods evaluate alternatives on some established set of criteria. Therefore, this similarity in decision making will enable engineers to easily bridge the gap from technical to political decision making.

When dealing with politico-technical issues, the engineer has an advantage, as lawyer-politicians rarely have the background to appreciate technical problems. Engineers, then, are hired to provide recommendations, but it is the politician that ultimately makes the decisions. This is not an effective use of resources, as two people are now involved in making a decision where only one is truly required. As political decisions invariably involve compromises, a nonengineer may make concessions that are unsound from a technical perspective. Thus, a politico-engineer can ensure that the welfare of the public is not compromised while increasing government efficiency.

Engineering education has moved toward a greater reliance upon theoretical science, and consequently, away from experimentation. Part of the problem lies with the engineering schools and the increasing burden of specialization. If engineering students would select political science courses to fulfill general education requirements, then they may begin to break down the antipathy of engineers toward politics that has traditionally limited their involvement.

Additionally, engineering curriculum needs to include discussions of how politics influences the engineering profession. Professors should integrate contemporary problems, issues, and policies into the technical curriculum. This will ensure that graduating engineering students have a basic grasp of public policy issues, and furthermore, recognize that politics can be a career choice for engineers. Political involvement would allow engineers to directly enhance human welfare, the environment, and society through the use of their specialized knowledge and skills.

As the engineering mindset prefers structure to disorder, a gradual transition of an engineer into the political arena may be most effective. Therefore, structured programs developed between the engineering community and state and local governments may be necessary to initiate engineering involvement in the legislative process.

The civil engineering profession should develop formal programs that would place civil engineers in their local or state government, thus becoming Civil Engineering Legislative Associates (CELA). The target population would not be newly graduated engineers, but rather registered engineers, as this ensures that they will have the necessary knowledge and skills. In these programs, the engineers will serve for the period of possibly one or two years, during which they will have the opportunity to learn the techniques and processes of government, as well as make valuable contributions to their local community or state. The objective is for this experience to inspire some participants to become active in elected politics.

Finally, in an effort to promote the welfare of people throughout the world, an Engineering Peace Corps (EPC) could be developed. This program would be aimed at recently graduated engineering students who are looking to make a difference in the international community. It would be similar to the currently existing Peace Corps but differ in the requirement for participants to enroll in a three-month training program directed by registered engineers. In the EPC, participants would have a multiyear commitment of service where they would focus on the issues of sanitation, clean air, and drinkable water in foreign countries. This experience would hopefully encourage participants into a career of public service.