A Contemporary Framework for National Security Related Technological Risks Minimisation

Abstract

Last several decades have shown a steady broadening of national security issues’ spectrum along with an increase in the strictness of international competition driven by advances in high technologies and other factors. National security agenda is nowadays comprised not only of defense issues per se, but also includes economic, social, cultural and other aspects. All this is strongly influenced by the technological trends and the very possession of critical technologies has become a pressing national security issue. Thus, we are witnessing a gradual convergence of national security and technological agendas. Advocating a proactive approach to tackling national security risks of a technological nature, the authors make an attempt to outline the contemporary innovative methodology of assessing, harnessing and counteracting such risks. Their key recommendation lies in the appeal for joining the forces of theorists and practitioners in the field of both national security and science, technology and innovation (STI) policy to overcome the corresponding challenges.

Keywords: national security, economic development, balance of power, science, technology and innovation policy, Russia

JEL Classification: O03