Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - Technology assessments

Socio-Political Evaluation of Energy Deployment (SPEED): An Integrated Research Framework Analyzing Energy Technology Deployment

Jennie Stephens, Elizabeth J. Wilson and Tarla Rai Peterson — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:15:56 -0600

This paper proposes a systematic, interdisciplinary framework for the integrated analysis of regulatory, legal, political, economic, and social factors that influence energy technology deployment decisions at the state level.

Africa in the Age of Rapid Technological Change

Calestous Juma — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

As part of International Relations Week at Harvard, Calestous Juma, director of the Belfer Center's Science, Technology, and Globalization Project, delivered the keynote address on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Center for Government and International Studies.

Professor Calestous Juma Hosts Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500

During his visit to Harvard University, President Leonel Fernandez had the opportunity to address a select group of Kennedy School students that applauded the Head of State's vision regarding the construction of a Metro Subway system in the Capital city Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, currently taking place. The visit was organized by Professor Calestous Juma, Director of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project.

Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa's Development

Calestous Juma and Ismail Serageldin — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0500

"This report is about biotechnology and the role it can play for development in Africa. The report suggests specific and practical measures to advance development, quality of life and environmental sustainability using biotechnology."

Build Africa's Economic Foundations First

Calestous Juma — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

"African presidents have now returned home from Accra, Ghana, after discussing a critical issue for the future of Africa: the creation of a United States of Africa at the urging of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi....Col Gaddafi has the right vision, but can correct his faulty strategy by helping to support the effective functioning of regional integration bodies, starting with northern and western Africa."

Open Access to Existing Technical Knowledge

Calestous Juma — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

June 29, 2007

Revisiting North Korea's Nuclear Test

Hui Zhang — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Hui Zhang re-examines the North Korean explosion on October 9, 2006. His research suggests that the test was likely not a failure if Pyongyang had planned for a yield of 4 kt, as it told Beijing prior to the event.

Incorporating Stakeholders' Perspectives Into Models of New Technology Diffusion: The Case of Fuel-Cell Vehicles

Gustavo Collantes — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

The extreme dependency on oil of ground transportation systems across the world – particularly in the United States – has become a weakness in national economies.

The North Korean Test and the Limits of Nuclear Forensics

Jungmin Kang, Frank N. von Hippel and Hui Zhang — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Hui Zhang provides a path-breaking technical assessment of the Korean nuclear test, publishing a comment (with co-authors Jungmin Kang and Frank von Hippel) on the test and the limits of nuclear forensics in Arms Control Today.

Exploring e-Government Barriers in the Arab States

Fadi Salem — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

The intended impact of e-government is simply better government. However, a majority of e-government initiatives around the world, including many in the Arab states, have been unsuccessful in securing positive outcomes.

Uncertainty Underground: Yucca Mountain and the Nation's High-Level Nuclear Waste

Allison Macfarlane — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600

March 31, 2006

Nuclear Accountability

Graham Allison — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0500

June 30, 2005

Scenario one: If North Korea fired a nuclear-armed missile that devastated an American city, how would the U.S. government respond? The state-sponsored attack would fit within the Cold War paradigm; therefore, the certain American response would be an overwhelming retaliation aimed at destroying Pyongyang, Kim Jong Il's nuclear and missile programs, and North Korea's million-man army. Such a response would result in enormous collateral damage, killing millions of North Koreans. Despite reservations about the morality of such a response, those who established the Cold War nuclear doctrine recognized -- and accepted -- the unintended deaths of millions of innocents. Whoever occupied the White House during such a nuclear attack would understand this also.

Technological Change in the Indian Passenger Car Industry

Ambuj Sagar and Pankaj Chandra — Mon, 31 May 2004 00:00:00 -0500

The last decade has seen a major transformation of the Indian car industry.

Breaking New Ground or Breaking the Rules: Strategic Reorientation in U.S. Industrial Policy

Glenn R. Fong — Sun, 01 Oct 2000 00:00:00 -0500

Based on an examination of nine case studies, the author concludes that the federal government has not only improved its capability to develop and execute technology and industrial policy measures, but has done so for the specific purpose of enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness.

Who's Behind China's High-Technology 'Revolution'? How Bomb Makers Remade Beijing's Priorities, Policies, and Institutions

Evan A. Feigenbaum — Thu, 01 Jul 1999 00:00:00 -0500

July 1, 1999

The author explores the evolution of Chinese thinking about the importance of high technology and China's effort to develop a high-tech capability to enhance its national security.