More than 500 U.S. physicists are now involved in the preparation of LHC experiments, whereas there are fewer than 270 physicists for Italy, Germany, France and the U.K., respectively. And there are many in the scientific community who have yet to face the reality that large science programs must reflect the individual interests of nations and the collective interests of regions. Scientists cannot decide where a facility is best sited, the size of each participant's contribution, and how such facilities will be funded. Whether we like it or not, OECD represents the economic and political interests of its members, not the intellectual interests of scientists. Thus, if the physics community is to play a substantive role, it must enlarge its horizon and call upon its leaders to face the broader facts of life.
Physicists are no longer able to conjure the ghosts of their cold war status.
We are now forced to demonstrate anew what physics contributes to international amity, prosperity and peace. These are the hidden beasts that stalk us in the international wilds. While the industrialized nations talk about the need to collaborate, they are increasingly unwilling as individuals to make the necessary investments. What is needed is a new international regime with sufficient access to funds and the best scientific intelligence, enabling us to act wisely and decisively to maintain the vigor and vision of science. Copyright 1996, The American Physical Society.