Science Diplomacy and International Cooperation in 20th-Century Physics

Science diplomacy has recently emerged as a key topic in examining how scientific activity intersects with international politics. It has given rise to ongoing debate about the capacity of cross-border scientific collaboration to influence political relations. Among scientific disciplines, physics holds a distinctive position. The historical relationship between physics and international affairs has been shaped by a fundamental contradiction. On one side, physics is regarded as a scientific field committed to revealing the core principles governing the universe, reflecting a universal human drive for discovery and intellectual advancement. This vision frequently portrays physics as a representation of worldwide cooperation and mutual understanding. Conversely, the insights gained from physics are also closely tied to matters of national defense and governmental authority, especially in their use for developing military technologies. This review examines how this tension has developed over time by synthesizing key historical and historiographical perspectives on the physics-diplomacy nexus, from the early 20th century to the present. It explores the dual role of physics as both an instrument of peaceful cooperation and a tool of geopolitical competition, tracing how these roles have evolved in response to changing historical contexts.