An Examination of the Relationship Between The Federal Government and Private Fusion Development

The institutional and political criteria, which must be satisfied as prerequisites to any realistic cooperation between the federal government and privately financed fusion engineering development, are examined. The transition of the federal magnetic fusion program from an aggressive development effort into a more science-oriented endeavor is presented as an opportunity for private initiative on an equal partnership basis with the government. Organizational mechanisms and policy changes are proposed that would facilitate such an industrial-governmental partnership.