The Political Economy of Science, Technology, and Innovation in China

There are a variety of reasons underlying the remarkable development of science and technology (S&T), and innovation in post-1978 China. This book seeks to achieve an understanding of such development from an institutional or a political economy perspective. Departing from the literature of S&T and innovation studies that treats innovation as a market or enterprise's behavior in Schumpeter's sense, Sun and Cao argue that it involves politics, institutions, and the role of the state. In particular, they examine how the Chinese state has played its visible role in making innovation policies, allocating funding for R&D programs, making efforts to attract talent, and organizing critical S&T programs. This book appeals to scholars in S&T and innovation policy, political economy, innovation governance, and China studies as well as policymakers and business executives.

Yutao Sun is a Professor at the School of Economics and Management, Dalian University of Technology, China, and a former Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Nottingham, UK. He has published in international journals including Science and Research Policy. He is the author of China and Global Value Chains: Globalization and The Information and Communications Technology Sector (2018).

Cong Cao is a Professor at Nottingham University Business School China, University of Nottingham Ningbo China. His most recent books include GMO China: How Global Debates Transformed China's Agricultural Biotechnology Policies (2018) and Innovation in China: Challenging the Global Science and Technology System (co-authored, 2018).