Are Romulan scientists involved in politics?

In the middle of "The Next Phase" episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a Romulan scientific officer (the top rank one at that moment) decides to destroy the Enterprise. This is clearly political and diplomatic decision in Romulan vs. Federation war.

This decision (and attitude) is completely different from what we can see in the "Eye of the Neddle" episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Where Romulan scientist clearly declares that the only reason for him to help Voyager crew is, because he is a scientist, not involved in any kind of politic "games" between Romulan and Federation.

I wonder, if Romulan scientist are really involved in politics and which of these two behaviors more closely describes majority of Romulan scientists?