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Why Science and Technology Require Political Guidance to Sustain Development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2016

Neil E. Harrison
Neil E. Harrison*
Affiliation:
University of Wyoming, USA
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Abstract

It is commonly hoped that technological innovation will sustain development and obviate the need for extensive socioeconomic change. Historically, free markets have increased the quantity of technological innovation, which has in turn enhanced economic growth. This article shows that market selection probably will not produce the technological innovation required to sustain development. Social structures and habitual practices also inhibit technological change, and market choices of technology could prevent ecologically efficient technological innovations. Only political direction of science and technology will optimize the contribution of technology to sustainable development. However, there is no theory or experience to act as a guide to policymaking. In addition, in the medium to long term, technology is indeterminate, selected by local process perturbations. This article suggests some policy directions for science and technology and argues that models borrowed from the life sciences may permit more effective government direction of the technology system.

Type
Achieving Sustainable Development
Information
Politics and the Life Sciences , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , September 1998 , pp. 179 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © Association for Politics and the Life Sciences 

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