The Elusive Transformation: Science, Technology, and the Evolution of International Politics

by Eugene B. Skolnikoff

Overview

Eugene Skolnikoff treats the roles of science and technology across the entire range of relations among nations, including security and economic issues, environmental questions, international economic competitiveness, the spread of weapons technology, the demise of communism, the new content of dependency relations, and the demanding new problems of national and international governance. He shows how the structure and operation of the scientific and technological enterprises have interacted with international affairs to lead to the dramatic evolution of world politics experienced in this century, particularly after World War II.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400820924
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	08/22/1994
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	619 KB

About the Author

Eugene B. Skolnikoff is Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been Director of the Center for International Studies at MIT, and has served on the staff of the White House Office of Science and Technology in several administrations.

Table of Contents

Preface
1 The Setting 3
Assessing the Interaction of Science and Technology with International Affairs 5
Primary Questions 8
Some Comments on Theoretical Issues and Literature 9
Science and Technology as Causes of Societal Change 10
What Is Meant by "Science" and "Technology" 12
Plan of the Study 15
2 The Scientific and Technological Enterprises and the Direction of Technological Change 16
Historical Evolution 16
The New Enterprises 21
Patterns of Outcomes and Effects 39
3 National Security 49
Nuclear-Weapons Systems 51
Scientific and Technological Factors in Strategic Nuclear Relationships 54
The Evolution and Diffusion of Military Power and Capability 71
Arms Control 83
Some Summary Comments 87
4 Economies and Polities 93
Global Integration 93
Economic Growth, Trade, and Competition 112
North-South Transfer of Technology and Dependency 132
Old and New Dimensions: Geopolitical Measures 140
Large Systems 166
Some Summary Comments 172
5 Global Dangers 175
Global Warning 176
Other Global Dangers 199
6 Practical Problems of Governance: Institutions and Processes 202
Time 202
Technical Content of Issues 206
Role of Foreign Offices 209
International Cooperation 210
International Organizations 212
Some Additional Issues 216
In Sum 218
7 Conclusions and Observations 223
Some Summary Conclusions and Generalizations 223
The Processes, Outcomes, and Consequences of Science and Technology 239
Theoretical Debates 241
Comments on Policy 246
Coda 248
Notes 253
Index 305

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A formidable piece of work that represents not only the results of extensive research but also the accumulated experience and wisdom of probably the country's best observer and analyst of the intersection between science and technology and international politics. There is no other work that has this breadth of coverage."—Ted Greenwood, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Ted Greenwood

A formidable piece of work that represents not only the results of extensive research but also the accumulated experience and wisdom of probably the country's best observer and analyst of the intersection between science and technology and international politics. There is no other work that has this breadth of coverage.
— Ted Greenwood, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Editorial Reviews

"Thought-provoking.... Although the broad relationship that emerges between science and technology and international affairs is a dynamic one, Skolnikoff argues that the process of change is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Skolnikoff is talented at weaving the argument between science and technology and international developments.... Full of stimulating and informative ideas."—-Margaret Sharp, Nature

From the Publisher

". . . without doubt the best general introduction available. . . . will undoubtedly be the general 'reference of choice' in technology and international affairs for years to come."

IEEE Spectrum

A volume of sweeping ambition, covering both past and contemporary trends. . . . This compact volume offers much to anyone interested in current global trends, not least to those in the scientific, engineering and medical communities. . . . With almost 40 years of intense professional involvement in this subject . . . Skolnikoff brings an extraordinary range of both scholarship and practical experience to this debate.

American Scientist - Rodney W. Nichols

. . . a remarkably good review of the full range of the science and technology of international politics.

Contemporary Sociology - Allan Mazur

This book offers a very well written and thoughtful overview of the likely impacts of science and technology on international politics.

American Political Science Review - George H. Quester

Thought-provoking.... Although the broad relationship that emerges between science and technology and international affairs is a dynamic one, Skolnikoff argues that the process of change is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Skolnikoff is talented at weaving the argument between science and technology and international developments.... Full of stimulating and informative ideas.

Nature - Margaret Sharp

A volume of sweeping ambition, covering both past and contemporary trends. . . . This compact volume offers much to anyone interested in current global trends, not least to those in the scientific, engineering and medical communities. . . . With almost 40 years of intense professional involvement in this subject . . . Skolnikoff brings an extraordinary range of both scholarship and practical experience to this debate.
— Rodney W. Nichols

American Scientist

. . . a remarkably good review of the full range of the science and technology of international politics.
— Allan Mazur

Contemporary Sociology

This book offers a very well written and thoughtful overview of the likely impacts of science and technology on international politics.
— George H. Quester

American Political Science Review

Thought-provoking.... Although the broad relationship that emerges between science and technology and international affairs is a dynamic one, Skolnikoff argues that the process of change is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Skolnikoff is talented at weaving the argument between science and technology and international developments.... Full of stimulating and informative ideas.
— Margaret Sharp

Nature