Science & Technology and National Development

The industrial revolution has taught us that science and technology (S&T) is a driver of
national development. Countries like Britain, USA, Japan, and Russia followed the conventional
way towards industrialization. First, they improved their agriculture. They went into mass
production using modern technology and marketed their finished products. Then they went into
mass production of their modern technology and marketed them as well. This brought
unprecedented economic growth. Once economy has improved already, they proceeded to
providing welfare to the people. Good economy enabled these countries to improve education
significantly. Good education and the proper exposure to industries produced experts. So at
present, these nations are not just selling machines and other industrial hard wares, they are
also selling their services as experts and consultants. Today these nations are still considered
well developed. They rank high in the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index (HDI).
In the 2017 UN HDI, the Philippines is at 116th out of 189 countries. This index is a
combination of life expectancy, education, and gross national income per capita. With a lagging
S&T in the country this rank is not a surprise. Another indicator of development is the ranking in
World Economic Forum's Competitive Index (WEFCI). Among the 140 countries being ranked in
2019, the Philippines is at the 64th spot in the overall index. This was a sharp drop from rank
46th in 2015-2016. The World Economic Forum's Competitive Index (2019) is topped by
Singapore. The Philippines is almost at the bottom among the ASEAN nations falling behind
Singapore (1st). Malaysia (27th) Thailand (40th), Indonesia (50th) and Brunei (56th).

Perspective for Development Through Science and Technology

Science and technology remains a significant driver of development in a country. At
present however social policies have factored in already as shown in Figure 1 below. Unlike in
the early 19th century where industrialization was the backbone of development, today’s path to
development is a combination of social aspects and S&T. As shown in the figures, the pillars of
development are enabling environment, market, human capital, and innovation system. Some
aspects of science and technology are embedded in the said pillars.
 Figure 1. S&T in the WEFCI Based Development Framework

Enabling Market
Environment
Product Market
Institutions
Labor Market
Infrastructure
Financial System
ICT

Economic Market Size

Stability

Science &
Technology DEVELOP
MENT
Human Innovation
Capital Ecosytem

Health Business Dynamism

Skills Innovation Capability

V. Summary

Science and technology did not develop under the Spanish regime because of their
colonial economic policy and poor education system. The Americans introduced bigger and
better public education system which even catered for science programs in higher education.
They also increased the number of science agencies in the government. Still, science and
technology did not improve very well because they also practiced a colonial economic policy.
During the republic, from 1945 to present the colonial economic policy of importing
manufactured products persisted. There was no continuity in S&T priorities from one
administration to another. At present the country lags behind in S & T, and in development as
well. The World Economic Forum says that the path to development in today’s world rests on
four pillars: enabling environment, human capital, market, and innovation ecosystem. This
perspective is a combination of S & T, and sound social policies.