Nanotechnology and Global Equality

The book places nanotechnology’s emergence within a broad historical and contemporary global context while developing and testing an interpretive framework through which to assess nanotechnology’s claims. It clarifies the nature of global engagement with nanotechnology research and development, revealing surprising scenarios, unacknowledged by most mainstream commentators. The book concludes by exploring a range of perspectives from Thailand and Australia about nanotechnology’s foreseen implications for global inequity.

IntroductionCentral QuestionsOverview of My ApproachGeneral LimitationsChapter OutlinesMethodologyMethodsConclusionDevelopment, Technology and InequityThe Creation of Inequity and Establishment of Development DebatesFoundational ApproachesContemporary ApproachesConclusion and My Framework for Technological AssessmentNanotechnology, Development and InequityUnderstanding NanotechnologyThe State of PlayInterpreting the State of Play: Instrumentalist versus Contextualist PerspectivesInnovative CapacityTechnological AppropriatenessApproaches to GovernanceConclusionThe State of PlayGlobal EngagementAn Exclusive ‘Global’ Nanotechnology DialogueEarly Patent Control and OrientationConclusionUnderstanding NanotechnologyCharacteristicsPerceptionsNear-Term Nanotechnology or Molecular Manufacturing?ConclusionInnovative CapacityUnderstanding the Nanodivide and Its ConstructsThe South Left BehindNew OpportunitiesConclusionTechnological AppropriatenessBenefits for the SouthContextual Challenges: Old Rhetoric, Old RealitySocietal ImplicationsConclusionApproaches to Technological GovernanceHow to Become ‘Nano-InnovatorsEnsuring AppropriatenessResponding to RisksConclusionConclusionsKey Themes and FindingsLimitations and Further Avenues for ResearchImplications and RecommendationsAppendicesJustification of Interviewee Nationalities for My Qualitative StudyHealth-Related Patent ClassificationsPatent RulesTop 10 Nanotechnologies for the Developing World (Singer et al., 2005)World Bank List of Economies (April 2004)Classification of Countries: Development Assistance Committee List of Aid Recipients, 2003 (adapted from OECD, 2003) 377Thai Key Informant DetailsAustralian Key Informant DetailsKey Informant Biographies (2004)Responses from Thai Nanotechnology Practitioners