How technology fuels the arms race
The authors says the persistance of the arms race is deeply rooted in contrasting U.S. and Soviet approaches to weapons innovations, approaches that reflect the very different characters of the two societies. The author says the process of weapons innovation in the U.S. takes place from the ''bottom up'' with scientists and technologists in government and the private sector playing a leading role. This process fosters the attitude that technological innovations is the surest guarantor of national security. In the Soviet Union, military research and development is highly centralized, hierarchical, and characterized by excessive secrecy and compartmentalization. This inhibits technological innovation. However, it allows the Soviets to concentrate their resources from the ''top down'' and respond to U.S. technological initiatives by mass-producing weapons. The author discusses how these attitudes need to be changed for a mutually advantageous outcome.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Michigan (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 7009272
- Journal Information:
- Technol. Rev.; (United States), Vol. 91:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SOCIAL IMPACT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC IMPACT
NATIONAL SECURITY
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TECHNOLOGY IMPACTS
USA
USSR
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
SECURITY
WEAPONS
350200* - Arms Control- Proliferation- (1987-)
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology