Task and Background

The following considerations derive from Carlota Perez theory of technoeconomic paradigms (TEPs). They are intended to further explore the role of the state, both empirically and normatively, within the TEP model. They also propose that nanotechnology will very likely be the paradigm-leading technology for the sixth surge (see in detail Drechsler 2009); this is not necessary for the main argument but will facilitate a much more concrete and specific discussion, and hopefully will be interesting in its own right as well. In the present context, the model itself may be presumed known; for this reason, I only briefly reiterate those aspects that are specifically important for the current topic:

There have been five technological revolutions, five surges, in the last 250 years. We are now in the middle of the fifth, namely the age of information technology, knowledge and global telecommunication (Perez 2002, 10–12, 14) – in brief, ICT (information and communication technology, sometimes also referred to as just IT) – which started in 1971.