Scientists In The Third World

T Scientists in the Third World JACQUES GAILLARD Sdentific research and deveJopm ni play major role in the industrialized nations of the world. But what are their roles in the developing countries? How can thes hi torically poor countries hope t catch up with their richer neighbors withouL expending unacceptably large proporLions of their financial resources in scientific training and research? Can science simply b imported and put in place WiÙ'lOUt the presence of an endogenous scienLific community7 Th se and ther que tion are posed in Jacqu s Gaillard's study of the role and functi ning f cientists in the Third World. Bascd on a survey of 489 scientisLs aL work in a variety f fi Id in 67 eountries, Lhis reporL offer data not previously gathered or analyz d to draw a clearer pictur of the pr ent dentifie communiti s in the developing nations and of the challenges lheir members confront. Among the many problems broughL ta Iight ar the c;ense of isolati n sei nli t fe L far from the major cent rs of sei ntiflc advance; the duHculLy of adapLing ci nlil ie equipment and methods develop cl elsewhere ta local needs; the trequent n ces lty to ludy abroad; lhe 'brain Jrain" that finds top cientists choosing to work abroad rather [hall at home: and the reliance on forelgn financin . Gaillard al 0 Hers an wer for many 01 the key policy questions urr unding Third World science and ]ts support-or lack of upport. Important forward tep , he !>uggests, would include bett r c mmUnJcatton networks, more scientific AGRARIAN QUESTIONS Lawrence Busch, General Editor SCIENTI5TS IN THE THIRD WORLD Jacques Gaillard THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY This book is a revised and expanded edition of Les Chercheurs des Pays en Développement. Paris: Institut Français de Recherche Scientifique pour le Développement en Coopération (OR5TOM). 220 pages. Copyright © 1991 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine College, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Club, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University Editorial and Sales Offices: Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gaillard, Jacques, 1951[Chercheurs des pays en développement. English] Scientists in the Third World / Jacques Gaillard. p. cm. - (Agrarian questions) Rev. translation of: Les chercheurs des pays en développement. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8131-1731-3 : 1. Scientists-Developing countries. 2. Research-Developing countries. I. Titre. Il. Series. Q127.2.G35 1991 509.172'4-dc20 90-47574 This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials. @ Contents List of Tables and Figures vii Acknowledgments xi Preface xii 1 Introduction 1 2 Origins and Education 17 3 Research as a Profession 35 4 Practicing Research 56 5 Scientific Production 82 6 National Scientific Communities 107 7 Conclusion 137 Appendixes A. Questionnaire for IFS Grantees 153 B. Countries in Which Respondents Work 165 C. Tables 166 References 173 Index 184 About the Author 191 Tables and Figures Tables Pl. Distribution of Scientists and Engineers, and Funds for Rand D as Percentages of World Totals, 1970, 1975, and 1980 xv 1.1. Types of Scientific and Technological Research in DCs and Sources of Funding 7 1.2. Responses to Questionnaire by Geographical Area 11 1.3. Responses to Questionnaire by Scientific Field 11 1.4. R