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

Eugene B. Skolnikoff

Published by Princeton University Press 1993

The Elusive Transformation

Science, Technology, and the Evolution of International Politics

Eugene B. Skolnikoff

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400820924

Overview
Contents

About this book

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.

Author / Editor information

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.

Reviews

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

. . . a remarkably good review of the full range of the science and technology of international politics.---Allan Mazur, Contemporary Sociology

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

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

"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

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

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
PART ONE
One. The Setting Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	3
Two. The Scientific and Technological Enterprises and the Direction of Technological Change Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	16
PART TWO
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	47
Three. National Security Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
Four. Economies and Polities Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	93
Five. Global Dangers Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	175
Six. Practical Problems of Governance: Institutions and Processes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	202
PART THREE
Seven. Conclusions and Observations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	223
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	253
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	305

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