Space policy in Argentina. High technological developement in a peripheral state

BLINDER, DANIEL

Ankara

Conferencia; International Conference on Science and Technology, New Turkey Strategic Research Center; 2016

New Turkey Strategic Research Center

This paperanalyzes the policy on science and technology in Argentina throug thecase of the space policy of this Latin American State, which is anexample of the technological development of a peripheral country butwith certain industrial and technical capabilities. This articlefirst analyzes the ruptures and continuities of domestic and foreignpolicies in Argentina during the Menem (1989-1999) andKirchner/Fernández de Kirchner (2003-2012) presidencies, regardingmissile and space fields, then briefly discusses whether space is amatter of security of development; taking Argentina as a case ofstudy of space technology on the semi-periphery. The road map towardstrong institutions regarding space policy, the continuity of suchinstitutional frame onward, and lastly, this paper discusses thetopic of Argentina as reliable state: a country that conforms tolegitimate codes of conduct in world affairs with regards to spaceactivities. Finally, it argues that institutions matter when a stateintends to develop sensitive technology and that there is a strongrelationship between technology and international relations, andconsequently, a state such as Argentina should combine alwaystechnology policy with foreign policy to achieve it technologicalgoals.