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ERIC Number: EJ1083001
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Dec
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0026-4695
EISSN: N/A
How Do Science and Technology Affect International Affairs?
Weiss, Charles
Minerva: A Review of Science, Learning and Policy, v53 n4 p411-430 Dec 2015
Science and technology influence international affairs by many different mechanisms. Both create new issues, risks and uncertainties. Advances in science alert the international community to new issues and risks. New technological capabilities transform war, diplomacy, commerce, intelligence, and investment. This paper identifies six basic patterns by which advances in science and technology influence international relations: (1) as a juggernaut or escaped genie with rapid and wide-ranging ramifications for the international system; (2) as a game-changer and a conveyer of advantage and disadvantage to different actors in the international system; (3) as a source of risks, issues and problems that must be addressed and managed by the international community; (4) as key dimensions or enablers of international macro phenomena; (5) as instruments of foreign policy or sources of technical information for the management of an ongoing international regime; (6) as the subject of projects and institutions whose planning, design, implementation and management provide grist for the mill of international relations and diplomacy.
Descriptors: Science and Society, International Cooperation, Global Approach, Technological Advancement, World Problems, Foreign Policy, Planning, International Relations
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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As an expert in international relations with a focus on the intersection of science, technology, and global affairs, I can draw upon numerous examples and frameworks to elaborate on the concepts presented in the article titled "How Do Science and Technology Affect International Affairs?" by Charles Weiss. While I cannot directly access the specific journal article beyond what you've provided, I am familiar with the broader themes and mechanisms described.
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Science and Technology as a Juggernaut:
- This concept underscores how certain scientific or technological advancements can rapidly and extensively transform the international system. Think of the rapid proliferation of nuclear technology during the Cold War era, which drastically altered global power dynamics and the strategies of states.
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Game-Changer for International Actors:
- The rise of cyber capabilities is a contemporary example. States with advanced cyber capabilities can exert influence, disrupt systems, and gain advantages in international negotiations, thus creating new hierarchies and dynamics among nations.
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Source of Risks and Issues:
- Climate change is a pertinent example. While the science behind climate change is clear, the technological solutions and policy implications are complex. The international community must collaborate to address the risks posed by changing climate patterns, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.
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Key Dimensions of International Macro Phenomena:
- Globalization, driven by technological advancements in communication and transportation, has profoundly interconnected economies, cultures, and societies worldwide. This interconnectedness has both benefits, such as increased trade and cultural exchange, and challenges, like economic vulnerabilities and cultural tensions.
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Instruments of Foreign Policy:
- Satellite technology serves as a dual example. Countries utilize satellite imagery for intelligence and military operations while also collaborating on international satellite programs for communication, weather forecasting, and scientific research, reflecting a blend of cooperation and competition.
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Subject of International Projects and Institutions:
- Initiatives like the International Space Station (ISS) exemplify collaborative efforts where nations pool scientific and technological resources for shared goals. Additionally, institutions like the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU) address global standards and policies related to information and communication technologies.
The article likely delves deeper into these patterns, providing nuanced insights and empirical evidence to support these frameworks. The interplay between science, technology, and international affairs is multifaceted, continually evolving, and requires interdisciplinary approaches for comprehensive understanding and effective policymaking.
