Skolnik, Eugene B. : Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Eugene B. Skolnik off 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.
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
"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
". . . 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
"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
". . . 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
Princeton University Press Web Site, March, 2000
Summary
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.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. The Setting
Assessing the Interaction of Science and Technology with International Affairs
Primary Questions
Some Comments on Theoretical Issues and Literature
Science and Technology as Causes of Societal Change
What Is Meant by "Science" and "Technology"
Plan of the Study
2. The Scientific and Technological Enterprises and the Direction of Technological Change
Historical Evolution
The New Enterprises
Patterns of Outcomes and Effects
3. National Security
Nuclear-Weapons Systems
Scientific and Technological Factors in Strategic Nuclear Relationships
The Evolution and Diffusion of Military Power and Capability
Arms Control
Some Summary Comments
4. Economies and Polities
Global Integration
Economic Growth, Trade, and Competition
North-South Transfer of Technology and Dependency
Old and New Dimensions : Geopolitical Measures
Large Systems
Some Summary Comments
5. Global Dangers
Global Warning
Other Global Dangers
6. Practical Problems of Governance : Institutions and Processes
Time
Technical Content of Issues
Role of Foreign Offices
International Cooperation
International Organizations
Some Additional Issues
In Sum
7. Conclusions and Observations
Some Summary Conclusions and Generalizations
The Processes, Outcomes, and Consequences of Science and Technology
Theoretical Debates
Comments on Policy
Coda
