A project submitted in partial fulfillment of my learning in General Studies

Topic:
A Developed Economy in the Modern Age can only be built upon Sound Scientific and
Technological Base

Presented by: Hansel Dsilva, XII-B

Presented to: Mr. Manoj Sir

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION

... 2

2. SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMY ... 3

3. CONCLUSION

... 5

INTRODUCTION
This brief essay aims to show the importance of the role of science and technology in the
attainment of economic development with social justice.
We will attempt to locate science and technology within the wider national situation of India.
Previously, development was tied almost singularly to the country's natural resources. It was
assumed that a country's wealth was assured by the natural resources that could be found within
its borders.
Despite the richness of our soil, forests, minerals and seas, we have remained poor and
underdeveloped. Since 1960s , we have begun to realize that the possession of rich natural
resources is not sufficient to ensure progress
We shifted our attention from reliance on our natural resources, to reliance on our "skilled but
cheap" labor force. In so doing, we have merely postponed (or shifted?) our crisis. Neither
approach will lead to economic development.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMY
There are two contending positions on development strategies, an agriculture versus an industryled strategy.But whichever approach we emphasize, we should discuss this to a strong science

and technology base.

Today, we can see that the newly industrializing countries, many of which are our own Southeast
Asian neighbors, have taken this one step further: they have been emphasizing to their science
and technology capabilities.
In order to maintain economic progress, the advanced and newly-advancing nations have been
investing heavily in science and technology, and doing so pays off. UN Economic data show that
the science and technology contribution to economic growth among the industrialized countries
is 70 percent; among the developing countries, it is 45-55 percent and among the
underdeveloped countries, 30 percent.
Since science and technology are demanded for economic advancement in the modern world, is
this not sufficient reasons for us likewise to invest our resources in them?
To develop a country's science and technology means putting aside the 2-3 percent of GNP (as
recommended by UNESCO) for research and development, supporting more science
scholarships and science and technology research institutes, and nurturing and protecting local
industry against unequal competition from big multinational companies. While attainment of
each of these goals would be a major achievement in itself (because none of these is being given
enough attention by our government), these do not suffice to ensure national development.
Science and technology have to be given proper direction and priorities; they have to understood
and embraced by the society. Many social ills affect the conduct of science and technology
profoundly.
Another important fact that arises from this is that science and technology are not cure-alls; they
can help to solve our problems, but only if the proper conditions are present.

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We often refer to science and technology almost as identical twins, they are not so. While
science deals with the knowledge and understanding of nature and its laws, technology concerns
itself with the application and uses of science. To the extent that science directly supports
technological advances, the characteristics of the two are similar.

Even non-science majors like non technologists, economic and political decision-makers should
be aware of the implications of science and technology. Ideally, the total education of any
student should involve appreciation and some understanding of the general field of science.
Science and technology also thrive in a society where scientific careers are available, financially
rewarding and socially respectable. Such careers can flourish only with both government and
private support. The proper climate for this can be achieved only when science and technology
are viewed as an integral part of society.
Science and technology embody the paradigms, knowledge, skills and techniques by which we
understand, relate with, control or exploit nature and--directly and indirectly--both ourselves and
our neighbors. In many instances, the course of human history is, in part, the history of science
and technology.
Science and technology have become key components of modern economic development. No
modern state can achieve or maintain prosperity without science and technology. However, the
science and technology that promote economic development do not necessarily also favor social
justice. The challenge for us is how to use science and technology to promote economic
development with social justice.
Other than the agricultural-intensive economies and labor-intensive economies, the global
economy is in transition to a "information society" led by innovation The transition requires that
the rules and practices that determined success in the industrial economy need rewriting in an
interconnected, globalized economy where knowledge resources such as trade secrets and
expertise are as critical as other economic resources.
Presently Developed economy taking place among many others include: Silicon Valley in
California; aerospace and automotive engineering in Munich, Germany; biotechnology
in Hyderabad, India; electronics and digital media in Seoul, South Korea; petrochemical and
energy industry in Brazil.

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CONCLUSION
The role of science and technology in economic development is very complex and their nature
must be properly understood if they are to contribute to economic development. We tend to
differentiate science and technology by considering them apart from the prevailing social,

cultural and political milieu, as if they were completely independent of these.

Present social science theory and public policy are no longer adequate to meet the multidimensional challenges posed by rising social aspirations, unemployment and inequality,
wasteful patterns of production and consumption, globalization of markets, technological
advances, demographic changes, and ecological constraints
Science and technology play only supportive roles in attaining the twin goals of economic
development and social justice. They can do only as much as society and the political system
allow. Science and technology alone will not stop forest denudation, nor will it solve our
excessive dependence on multinational industry.
In India science and technology still rate very low in our development strategy, and the
commitment to economic development with social justice needs to be pushed further. These
challenges can be overcome only if we are able to develop the relevant science and technology
capabilities that will enable us to grow sufficient food with the least cost to the environment, to
manufacture goods with the appropriate technology, to provide our people with shelter, to
produce energy at low cost and with minimal harm to the environment, to optimize the use of
this energy, to maintain a high standard of health, and to protect and preserve the ecosystem.
The role of science and technology in promoting social justice is very important, and in this,
education plays a major role. The education sector, by the ideas and values it promotes and the
students it molds and educates, must lead in the promotion of science and technology for social
justice and economic prosperity.
Finally, the challenge to build a socially just and prosperous society is primarily not within the
power of science and technology, which are merely supportive; ultimately the challenge is
political. Proper science and technology education should address the needs of survival in the
modern world. But, if we can muster the will to decide our own national development, so we
also can master the science and technology to move our country forward.
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