How technology fuels the arms race

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Technol. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7009272

Evangelista, M

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), Journal Name: Technol. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 91:5; ISSN TEREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
350200* -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EUROPE
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NATIONAL SECURITY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SECURITY
SOCIAL IMPACT
TECHNOLOGY IMPACTS
USA
USSR
WEAPONS