2006-07 Science, Technology and Society Colloquium: Technology, Geopolitics and Economics

Technology, Geopolitics and Economics

Throughout history, the world has seen major technological turning points which have precipitated tumultuous changes to the global political economy. These technological turning points are typically connected to key geopolitical issues of the day. For example, the move from steam power to the internal combustion engine caused major changes in industries and communities. In the early 20th century, it was associated with the growing international dominance of the U.S. and Germany, the invention of modern warfare, the suburbanization of U.S. society, and the development of vast new industries in some sectors (roads, automobiles) along with the decline of other sectors (railroads). (learn more)