During the Renaissance science fought for and won a degree of independence. Independent science flourished, and its cumulative power dispelled the traditional pessimistic view of what humanity could accomplish in this world. The rapid expansion of knowledge gave rise to the wonderful optimism of the Enlightenment epitomized by the idea of progress. When science joined hands with technology, productivity and social progress such as the world had never seen became possible.
Optimism can be a self fulfilling prophesy.
World War II exhibited science's importance in policy and made policy important in science. With this, its independence was dramatically reduced. By controlling funding, policy makers reduce freedom to choose areas of concentration. But more important is the lack of control over information addressed to the public that claims the credibility that science had earned. Today, anyone claiming to be a scientist can hijack that credibility, and hijackers will be heard if facts asserted advance the purposes of those who control media access.