Article: Development of Science in the Third World

Science and technology are undoubtedly the principal agents of progress in the modern world. True economic independence is not possible without a significant degree of autarky in science and technology. Science must become a component of the development of all mankind, particularly the less developed ones. Developing countries must realize that change is a natural phenomenon in human affairs and that development is incompatible with a static and rigid view of the world. The spirit of inquiry to find the facts and rely upon them needs to be encouraged and propagated in the developing countries. There is something of cohesive nature in all scientific explorations which determines and sets off the process of future development. It has a certain long term purposefulness about itself which promotes optimism. Indeed most of the problems of under development are amenable to solution through appropriate application of modern science and technology. The rapid advances promise to transform the world beyond recognition in the coming decades.

The industrialized countries spend 2 to 2.5% of their GDP on Research & Development and utilization of Science and Technology. In contrast, the allocation in most of the underdeveloped countries is negligibly small. Various forums of United Nations recommend a minimum figure close to 1%. Today, 95% of new science in the world is created in the countries comprising only 20% of the world's population, while the remaining 80% contribute only 5% towards it. This lopsided distribution of science activity creates serious problems not only for the scientific community in the Third World countries but also for the development of these nations. Lack of technical know-how inhibits productivity which breeds poverty and further diminishes investment. This state of affairs increases the disparity between the advanced and the under-developed countries, creating social and economic concerns at the national and international level.

A notable difference between the citizens of developing countries and those of the developed nations lies in their attitude towards change. In the developing countries, there is general lack of commitment towards acquiring and enhancing scientific knowledge. Universities don't create science or support scientific research. As such, there is a very small number of active scientists and any effort made to promote science are half hearbted. Professor Abdus Salam, in one of his articles, laments about the state of science and technology in developing countries:

"......The Third World, despite its realization that science and technology are the sustenance, and its major hope for economic betterment, has taken to science as only a marginal activity."

The best way to check this is through international cooperation for the development of science and technology. It is not enough to provide loans and capital but of equal or greater importance is the sharing of the essential know-how in science and technology as well as in scientific and technological education. Enlightened aid should aim at enabling the developing countries to exploit their resources and stand on their own feet. Science and technology cannot merely be transplanted in a country. Transfer of technology per se is of assimilation, adoption and application by the recipient state.