When compared to the other European countries, as well as a significant number of OECD countries, Portugal can be considered as a relative latecomer in terms of creating the foundations of modern knowledge. We will examine, in brief, the reasons for this delay, showing how the transition from the 20th to the 21st century was an important moment for Portugal in terms of recuperation in the key areas of the creation and development of knowledge: education, Research and Development (R&D), and innovation.
This late development naturally meant that the effects of globalization and the economic and social crisis would be felt stronger in Portugal than in the other economies with solid background of technology and knowledge, as it lacked sufficiently strong scientific and institutional infrastructure and was, to a large degree, dependent on imported technology and knowledge. This could have been partially avoided if anti-cyclical policies had been adopted in time in the three key areas mentioned above. However, this did not occur mainly on account of the austerity measures.
Whereas in some areas, the effect of cutbacks was less onerous, as they are essentially short-term and bear less spillover effects, the opposite is the case for the development of knowledge. Effectively, this process is characterized by the cross-effects established over time, by the accumulative nature and self-reinforcement of its results, by the boom and bust repercussions seen in the diverse economic sectors and social areas, and also by the fact that most of the ongoing economic and social effects will only be in place in the long term. As specialized literature on this subject has shown, delays in terms of educational reforms, for example, have been reflected by an increased negative impact on economic and social growth and development, in terms of time and intensity. The same occurs with delays in R&D and innovation.
|
