Some Glimpses on the International Co-operation in R&D

Abstract

As stated in one of the first OECD reports on science policy, governments can be persuaded to engage in the various forms of international co-operation for one or more of the following considerations:

• i) the research in question (programme, problem, project) is by nature transnational (meteorology, oceanography, etc.);

• ii) it calls for resources on a scale far beyond the means of a single country (nuclear research, space research, etc.);

• iii) it contributes to broader economic and military objectives in pursuit of which countries agree to combine their efforts;

• iv) participation in co-operative action adds to the country’s prestige both at home and abroad.^l)

The opinions expressed by the author are his own and do not necessarily commit the Organisations to which he belongs.