Science, Technology and Society Studies and Development Perspectives in South-North Transactions

Abstract

In the half century since World War II, the time span that constitutes the post-colonial era, the direction and substance of South-North relations have changed both repeatedly and markedly.¹ The decisive, underlying dynamics of South-North exchange have been predicated on at least three components: (i) shifting Northern appraisal of South-North interaction; (ii) Southern reorientation and growing assertiveness; (iii) a cognitive component, entailing a variety of analytic approaches, which include academic models drawn from various disciplines, bureaucracy linked expertise and, relatively recently, a growing contribution by science, technology and society studies (STSS) and policy initiatives for the South.² Transformations in the contents of these components and in the configuration among them, have to a remarkable degree accompanied, and sometimes induced, revisions in the conduct of colonial powers (old and new) and in the posture of the formerly colonized countries that have often been the scene of new forms of influence and domination.