Scientific Communities in the Developing World

by Jacques Gaillard (Editor), Vipin Krishna (Editor), Roland Waast (Editor)

In today′s world of rapid technological changes, science and technology play a key role in the development of a nation, in improving standards of living, and in advancing industrial growth. Combining a wide range of perspectives--from sociology, history, economics, and political science--this volume explores the constitution and growth of scientific communities and the current state of scientific potential in a wide range of developing countries. The African, Asian, and Latin American case studies shed light on a variety of fundamental issues of direct relevance to developing nations. The issues discussed include the colonial and postcolonial experiences of the countries studied; the role played by key actors like state and scientific elites; the influence of differing political systems on the growth of science and technology; and the reasons why, despite comparable approaches to developing science and technology, the resulting progress varies dramatically across countries. Providing a truly comparative perspective on a theme of central importance to developing countries, this volume will attract a wide readership among scholars and professionals in the fields of sociology, economics, history, science and technology studies, science communication and education, development studies, policy studies, and the social study of science.

398 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 1997