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Temporal Myopia: A Case of Promising New Technologies, the Federal Government, and Inherent Conflicts of Interest

William R. Freudenburg, A Life in Social Research

ISBN: 978-1-78190-734-4, eISBN: 978-1-78190-735-1

Publication date: 20 December 2013

Abstract

This chapter examines how the dual role of the federal government in promoting and regulating promising new industrial technologies may evolve to embody an inherent conflict of interest, a condition referred to as the “paradox of partnerships.” Using a temporal perspective to explore relevant paradoxes of partnerships, this research speculates on the parallels of two recent technologies: nuclear power and nanotechnology. We conclude that while government–industry partnerships may seem relatively uncontroversial during early phases of technological development, such partnerships can prove problematic years later – as the government moves away from its role as a technology promoter and toward its role as an essential regulator. Lessons learned from the downfall of the nuclear power industry suggest that as nanotechnology becomes technically and economically feasible, early government investments may come to look more like entanglements – ones that may involve irreconcilable incentives that jeopardize the ultimate rewards.

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Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments

For Bill, who taught me the importance of new ideas, many practical academic tasks, and the value of excellent mentorship – all things I plan to pay forward, if I am lucky enough to get the chance. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency under Cooperative Agreement Number DBI 0830117. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Environmental Protection Agency. This work has not been subjected to EPA review and no official endorsement should be inferred. This work also benefited by support from the University of Maryland and National Science Foundation award number DBI-1052875 to the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC).

Citation

Collins, M.B. and Freudenburg, W.R. (2013), "Temporal Myopia: A Case of Promising New Technologies, the Federal Government, and Inherent Conflicts of Interest", William R. Freudenburg, A Life in Social Research (Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 259-276. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0196-1152(2013)0000021016

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited