The document examines social science influence in the policy-making process through interviews with proponents of various major positions in the policy arena. A wide variety of responses is presented in order to more clearly assess needs of a changing society, investigate how social science education might be changed to reflect those needs, record the most pressing concerns in policy making studies, and provide a collective portrait of how social scientists view their role and performance in government. Twelve social scientists, who have experience working in U.S. government, discuss political allegiance of social scientists; ways of achieving equity, justice, and democracy; problems of policy implementation; rates and specific methods by which general goals should be reached; and methodological contributions of social scientists to policy formation. Among the specific topics dealt with are policies made during the "Great Society" and the adjustments and changes wrought by these policies; planning for full employment; the role of paraprofessionals in improving society; politics of urban research; domestic and foreign policy; social research on women in politics; and the influence of intellectuals in policy making. General tendencies noted by those interviewed include increased concern with policy-related matters in the social science community, declining interest in theory in favor of social action, a closer integration of pure social science with applied disciplines, and a high degree of accomodation to governmental needs by professionals from all social science disciplines. The conclusion is that social scientists' dedication to solving conflicts through reason warrants increased participation by them on middle levels of government and on advisory levels to all bureaus and agencies. (Author/DB)