Before 2018, public policies for science, technology, and innovation in Mexico had had a continuity of several lustrums (including programs and budget); achieved progress in the articulation of actors and governance mechanisms that, although incipient, were beginning to bear fruit. Likewise, the regulatory framework had been strengthened, including the participation of several collegiate bodies actively collaborating in the design, implementation, and supervision of science, technology, and innovation activities. However, during the current administration, profound structural changes have been made, driven by the agency responsible for articulating STI policy in the country. These changes have generated uncertainty about the way forward and have raised serious questions about whether the innovation system is at risk, with the respective consequences for the country's development. This chapter analyzes recent STI policy in Mexico to identify some of the problems that threaten the articulation of an ecosystem that had been under construction for half a century.
Top1. Introduction
The importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) for development is widely recognized. In the Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infraestructure), it is explicitly accepted that:
(...) technological advances are also essential for finding permanent solutions to economic and environmental challenges, as are the provision of new jobs and the promotion of energy efficiency. Other important ways to facilitate sustainable development are the promotion of sustainable industries and investment in scientific research and innovation (UNDP, n.d.).
Therefore, there is a growing interest in defining public STI policies to optimize the economic, social, and environmental impacts of public and private investments in this area. Moreover, the growing connection of STI policies with the decisions of various social actors (entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations, academic centers, producers organizations, etc.) has begun to promote new governance schemes, a concept that is becoming increasingly important as a new way of managing public policies, recognizing that decision-making processes are becoming increasingly permeable to the influence of various social actors, both nationally and internationally. In this new context, the State cannot pretend to solve the problems of contemporary society by acting in isolation.
Before 2018, public policies for science, technology and innovation in Mexico had had a continuity of several lustrums (including programs and budget); achieved progress in the articulation of actors and governance mechanisms that, although incipient, were beginning to bear fruit. Likewise, the regulatory framework had been strengthened, including the participation of several collegiate bodies actively collaborating in the design, implementation and supervision of science, technology and innovation activities.
However, during the current administration, profound structural changes have been made, driven by the agency responsible for articulating STI policy in the country. These changes have generated uncertainty about the way forward and have raised serious questions about whether the innovation system is at risk, with the respective consequences for the country's development.
This paper analyzes recent Science, Technology and Innovation policy in Mexico to identify some of the problems that threaten the articulation of an ecosystem that had been under construction for half a century.
To reinforce this analysis, the following activities have been carried out:
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Review of the main documents on Science, Technology and Innovation policies and regulations in Mexico, covering mainly the last 25 years.
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Participation in the open parliament discussions organized by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies to debate the initiative to enact a new STI law.
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Consultation with representatives of business associations on the implications of changes in the current government's STI policy and legislation. These included the Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana), the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Confederación de Cámaras Industriales), the International Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Directors of Applied Research and Technological Development (Asociación de Directivos de la Investigación Aplicada y el Desarrollo Tecnológico) and the Mexican Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (Asociación Mexicana para la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual).
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Interviews with researchers from higher education institutions, research centers, legislators, former science and technology officials and entrepreneurs
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Participation in seminars for the analysis of STI legislation of the Proscience Network (Red Prociencia).
Top2. The Concept Of Governance And Its Application In The Field Of Sti
Governance emerges as a new style of government, different from the hierarchical and market control model, characterized by a greater degree of cooperation between governments, public administrations, and non-governmental actors in the definition, implementation, and evaluation of public policies. What changes is the process of public policy-making, seeking to base it on collaboration, consensus, and the participation of different actors, to improve the results and effectiveness of policies (Zurbriggen, 2011).