Science and Technology in Development Planning: Science, Technology and Global Problems covers the proceedings of the Symposium on Science and Technology Development Planning. The book presents several papers that tackle one of the agendas of the symposium, intended to convey to the reader the main lines of thought brought to the symposium and to illustrate various approaches. The 17 chapters of the text are organized into five parts, according to what agenda they cover. The first part tackles the interaction between science and technology and long-range development goals and strategies, while the second part deals with the science and technology in sectoral planning. Part III covers the incorporation of science and technology in the techniques of development planning; Part IV discusses the planning of science and technology in the development process. The last part talks about international cooperation. The book will be of great interest to readers cornered with the progress of science and how it will influence the world.

I was asked recently to prepare an independent background report on the subject of priority assessment in science and technology policy for the Australian Science and Technology Council. The Council (while not necessarily endorsing this book) suggested that a wider audience could be interested in the type of material contained in my report and kindly gave me permission to publish the material in my own right. The present book contains this and other material, some of which was presented at a seminar on National Science Policy: Implications for Government Departments arranged by the Department of Science and the Environment. Additional ideas were developed in response to comments on the manuscript by referees, as a result of discussions with Professor John Metcalfe and Dr Peter Stubbs of Manchester University, a conversation with Dr Keith Hartley of the University of York and in the wake of a communication from Dr Ken Tucker, Assistant Director, Bureau of Industry Economics, Australia. Science and technology policy affects and concerns everyone of us if for no other reason than we cannot escape in this interdependent world from the economic, social and environmental overs pills generated by science and technology. We must face the problems and promises inherent in new and existing science and technology whether we like it or not. Not surprisingly this book finds that all industrialized countries seem to be facing similar economic and social problems.

The technological revolution has reached around the world, with important consequences for business, government, and the labor market. Computer-aided design, telecommunications, and other developments are allowing small players to compete with traditional giants in manufacturing and other fields. In this volume, 16 engineering and industrial experts representing eight countries discuss the growth of technological advances and their impact on specific industries and regions of the world. From various perspectives, these distinguished commentators describe the practical aspects of technology's reach into business and trade.