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The Global Politics of Science and Technology - Vol. 2 pp 117–141Cite as

Hidden in Plain View: Exploring the Knowledge Power of States

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Part of the book series: Global Power Shift ((GLOBAL))

Abstract

Inspired by the notion of “structural power”, this paper presents an approach to conceptualizing the knowledge power of states. Knowledge power derives from the occupation of a favorable position in the global knowledge-structure. Regarding states as actors in the structure, four clusters of proxy variables serve to empirically map structural effects and dynamics: grass-roots, cutting-edge artifacts, infrastructural embeddedness and knowledge regimes. Empirical findings confirm initial theoretical considerations on the asymmetric and path-dependent nature of the knowledge-structure. Due to path-dependency, the structure exerts a hampering effect on change. It provides an inert environment, in which states face restraints on their way up to leading positions. As the asymmetric distribution of knowledge capacities derives from past differences in foundational knowledge indicators, power shifts cannot appear out of a sudden, and established powers are likely to prevail.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Realist scholars, for instance, examine technologies as material capacities with regard to their potential to change the security architecture and offensive of defensive dynamics (exemplary: Gilpin 1981). Liberal scholars, pointing to the transformational power of information, regard information technology as the decisive exogenous driving force behind the de- and restructuring of world order (see Rosenau 1990). Constructivists deal with technology and knowledge as socially constructed phenomena while emphasizing that technology does not determine power per se, but gains meaning through being embedded into social discourse (see Ruggie 1975: 558; Wendt 1995: 71–81).

  2. 2.

    The best known definition of regimes has been proposed by Stephen Krasner. He defines regimes as “set(s) of implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and decision-making procedures” (Krasner 1983: 2).

  3. 3.

    See, for instance, the interactive Submarine Cable Map, provided as a free resource by TeleGeography: http://www.telegeography.com/telecom-resources/submarine-cable-map/index.html (accessed Feb. 2014). As part of the Cluster of Excellence “Asia and Europe in a Global Context”, University of Heidelberg, Germany, Roland Wenzelhuemer and colleagues are currently working on the question how far current digital divide appears similar to the asymmetrical pattern of the ninteenth century telegraph network and appropriate information flow. For further information see: http://www.asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de/de/forschung/b-public-spheres/b9/research-field.html (17.12.13).

  4. 4.

    Center of Study and Research in Network Technology and Operations: http://www.ceptro.br/CEPTRO/EnglishHome (17.12.13).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

    Katharina C. Below

  2. Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Sarah Herweg

  3. Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Ruth Knoblich

  4. Bonn University, Bonn, Germany

    Ruth Knoblich & Krystin Unverzagt

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  1. Katharina C. Below
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  2. Sarah Herweg
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Correspondence to Sarah Herweg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bonn Center for Global Studies, Bonn, Germany

    Maximilian Mayer

  2. GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, Germany

    Mariana Carpes

  3. Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany, Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (IEE), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany, Bochum, Bonn, Germany

    Ruth Knoblich

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Below, K.C., Herweg, S., Knoblich, R., Unverzagt, K. (2014). Hidden in Plain View: Exploring the Knowledge Power of States. In: Mayer, M., Carpes, M., Knoblich, R. (eds) The Global Politics of Science and Technology - Vol. 2. Global Power Shift. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55010-2_8

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