This is to review the nature of Korean science and technology policy based on the concept of policy ideas. According to the institutional theory, policy ideas are composed of the beliefs on both principle and causal relations concerning policy behavio...
This is to review the nature of Korean science and technology policy based on the concept of policy ideas. According to the institutional theory, policy ideas are composed of the beliefs on both principle and causal relations concerning policy behaviors. Policy ideas influence science and technology policy considerably because they are embodied by policy-makers and embedded in government institutions such as decision-making rules and procedures.
Recently, promoting industrial competitiveness is a leading policy idea in Korea's science and technology policy. It means that the science and technology policy is influenced mainly by economic interests rather than by civic interests. Though the economic value of science and technology may not easily underestimated, the negative external effects such as environmental degradation and technological risks should not be neglected. Therefore, in developing science and technology policy, much efforts should be made to consider both the policy idea of industrial competitiveness and the new one of quality of life in a balanced way. It means that civil society should be allowed to have more access to policy process in the area of science and technology than before.