The Contradictions of Techno-Nationalism and Techno-Globalism: A Historical Perspective

David E.H. Edgerton, Hans Rausing Professor of Science and Technology, Imperial College, London

Abstract

Techno-nationalism and techno-globalism are descriptive and prescriptive categories for understanding the impact of technology on society and vice versa. They reflect the underlying assumptions made by analysts of the place of technology in the world, and denote ideologies, rather than technological policies or realities. They also help us to realize that standard accounts of the nation and globalization are not as securely based as they appear. Indeed, nations and states are important in ways techno-nationalism does not capture, and the international and global dimension is crucial in ways which that techno-globalism overlooks. Yet an analysis of both terms yields building blocks to a more sophisticated appreciation of the linkages between the nation, technological innovation and globalization.

Recommended Citation

Edgerton, David E.H. (2007) "The Contradictions of Techno-Nationalism and Techno-Globalism: A Historical Perspective," New Global Studies: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ngs/vol1/iss1/art1

 
 
 
 

ISSN: 1940-0004 ©1999-2008 The Berkeley Electronic Press™ All rights reserved.

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