Abstract
The broad question, what is or has been or could be the contribution of science and technology to economic growth, may be asked for a number of reasons. First, we may want to know as a matter of intellectual curiosity, how important science and technology have been as a source of economic growth in the past, compared with other sources of growth. Secondly, for purposes of policy, we may want to know the likely effects on economic growth of an increase (or decrease) in the total amount of scientific and technological input. Thirdly, again for purposes of policy, we may want to know the best way of allocating a given amount of such inputs in the interests of economic growth.
This paper was originally written for a conference organised by UNESCU in co-operation with the International Economic Association, and held in Paris in 1968. It was published in The Role of Science and Technology in Economic Development, Science Policy Studies and Documents, No. 18, UNESCO 1970, and is here reproduced without change by kind permission of UNESCO.
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© 1973 International Economic Association
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Matthews, R.C.O. (1973). The Contribution of Science and Technology to Economic Development. In: Williams, B.R. (eds) Science and Technology in Economic Growth. International Economic Association Conference Volumes, Numbers 1–50. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01731-7_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01731-7_1
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