Technological Change
Enhancing the Benefits

‘We have stressed the great power and speed of technological change, especially that originating from the emerging technologies. The inevitability of technological change does not however mean that societies, and specifically governments, need to adopt a passive or deterministic attitude towards it. There are options in terms of the speed and direction of technological change; policy choices to be made; socially beneficial technologies which can be actively promoted; technologies with negative impacts which can be discouraged or adapted... Different societies will vary enormously in the technological capacity they can realise because of differences of size, income levels and stage of development; but even the smallest and poorest countries need some capacity to make choices and to adapt technology to local conditions.’ - From the Report.
‘Among policy makers in developing countries, emerging technologies are often regarded with apprehension. This is induced by a sense of impotence; also by a feeling that what is appropriate in richer countries may not be so in poor ones. These fears are understandable. But the Group’s Report gives abundant evidence that where technology is directed, and adapted, to meet the needs of low-income groups, it can be a powerful force for good, especially in agriculture and rural development, where in many forms it could be even directly employment-generating... Because of technology, human societies have it in their power to raise living standards worldwide and thus eradicate mass poverty and hunger.’ - From the Foreword by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
This publication is comprised of two volumes.
‘Among policy makers in developing countries, emerging technologies are often regarded with apprehension. This is induced by a sense of impotence; also by a feeling that what is appropriate in richer countries may not be so in poor ones. These fears are understandable. But the Group’s Report gives abundant evidence that where technology is directed, and adapted, to meet the needs of low-income groups, it can be a powerful force for good, especially in agriculture and rural development, where in many forms it could be even directly employment-generating... Because of technology, human societies have it in their power to raise living standards worldwide and thus eradicate mass poverty and hunger.’ - From the Foreword by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
This publication is comprised of two volumes.
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Technology Policy
Principles, Experiences and Prospects
In this chapter we shall endeavour to spell out the policy implications of the analysis of the effects of new technologies made above. However, the question of appropriate policies for the management of technological change cannot adequately be discussed at the level of global generality. Countries vary enormously in their technological capacity and needs because of differences in size, living standards, stocks of scientific and other trained manpower, and resources.
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