The uncertain quest: science, technology, and
development This is the old United Nations University website. Visit the new site at http://unu.edu
The uncertain quest: science, technology, and
development
Edited by
Jean-Jacques Salomon,
Francisco R. Sagasti, and
Céline Sachs-Jeantet
United Nations University Press
TOKYO - NEW YORK - PARIS
© The United Nations University, 1994
The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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Note to the reader from the UNU
Introduction: From tradition to modernity
The importance of science and technology
Science, technology, and society
The institutional and policy requirements
The new international context
Modernity and the uncertain quest
References
Part 1: Science, technology, and development
1 Modern science and technology
The emergence of modern science
The expansion of modern science and technology
Cultures and coexistence of rationalities
References2 The story of development thinking
Pioneers in development
The discipline develops
The centre and the periphery
Questioning and crises
Prospects
References3 Measuring science, technology, and innovation
The growing need for R&D and innovation indicators
From macro-phenomena to innovation processes
Towards a worldwide standard for R&D surveys
Quantitative descriptions and qualitative assessments
The overall scope of R&D statistics among developing countries
Has R&D spending by developing countries increased?
In which regions are the world's R&D resources concentrated?
Science, technology, and new economic patterns
Innovation indicators in the making
The "second-generation" statistical manuals
References
Part 2: From history to current challenges
4 Western science in perspective and the search for alternatives
What is Western science?
The critiques
The search for alternatives
The example of India
The significance of the alternatives
References5 The institutionalization process
Overview
The Pandora's box of "colonial science"
Strategies and styles of the major powers
Cultural responses to Western learning
The disciplines and institutions of colonial science
Institutional growth in the moulds of "national science"
The role of government science policy
The interface between higher education and research capabilities
Concluding remarks
References6 The behaviour of scientists and scientific communities
The scientific communities in developing countries
Scientific community: A concept open to challenge
The widening gap and the need for a revised typology
National scientific communities and styles of scienceThe origins, behaviours, and conditions of scientists
Origins
Higher education and research training
Brain drain and brain gain
Research scientists in search of statutes and status
Choosing research topics and practicing researchScientific production: Not very visible
The place of third world science in mainstream science
Mainstream science and local science: A needed revision7 Technology, economics, and late industrialization
Lights and shadows of conventional neoclassical growth theory
Alternative theoretical routes
Import substitution industrialization in the 1960s and 1970s
The 1980s: Towards a new socio-economic and technological scenario
Concluding remarks
ReferencesFirm-level technological capabilities (FTC)
National technological capabilities
National technological capabilities: Some evidence from developing countries
Conclusions and implications
ReferencesThe first debate on environment and development
Slow progress towards ecologically and environmentally friendly development
Signposts for the future
Concluding remarks: Disentangling Prometheus
References
10 Science and technology policy
Science and technology policy: Rationale and issues
Instruments for science and technology policy
The implications of trade policy
Experiences and approaches in the third world
The United Nations system
The knowledge base for STP
Conclusion: Key contemporary issues for STP
References11 Technology transfer and diffusion
Elements and mechanisms of technology transfer
Historical background
The technology market
Towards a revised framework
Concluding remarks
References12 Technology choice and development
The 1950s and 1960s: Growth, investment allocation, and technology choice
The 1970s: Technology, employment, and basic needs
Appropriate technology
Appropriate products
Technology and employmentThe 1980s: Macro issues, new technologies, and capabilities
Macroeconomic aspects of technology choice
New technologies and blending
Technological capabilities13 New technologies: Opportunities and threats
Information technology
Biotechnology
New and advanced materials
ReferencesThe methodology and its critics
A typology of technology assessment and policy analysis
Stakeholder participation in technology assessment