Assesses the United States' experience with physics curriculum development and teacher education from 1955-90. Although there were substantial improvements in the development of hands-on elementary and secondary school curricula, their effectiveness was largely negated by logistical problems in implementation and deficiencies in teacher…

The article traces the history of the social sciences and shows how they developed their modern form in Western universities. It argues that they are undermining rather than supporting democratic order and suggests that universities, with their commitment to truth and freedom of thought, can transform such disciplines into worthwhile entities. (SM)