The Politics of High Tech Growth
Developmental Network States in the Global Economy

This book argues that beneath the Irish trade and foreign investment boom lies a more interesting story of regional innovation promoted by an alliance between the state and local technical communities. This alliance was governed through a decentralized set of state institutions, drawing on 'global' and 'local' economic and political resources. This 'Developmental Network State' has had a significant impact on the growth of Ireland's high tech cluster and is central to the emergence of an international network of 'global high tech regions' from Silicon Valley to Ireland, Taiwan, and Israel. The book provides a detailed study of the rise of the software industry in Ireland and of the state institutions and political conditions which promoted it. It shows how new 'network state' policies and institutions have been central to high tech regions elsewhere.

Reviews & endorsements

'Seán Ó Riain has written a splendid book. It contains a lot of new and novel evidence about the relationship between states and economic development, and it is particularly insightful in making sense of how small states adjust to the opportunities and constraints presented by the world economy. I highly recommend it.' Neil Fligstein, University of California-Berkeley

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Product details

• Date Published: January 2008
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521711876
• length: 288 pages

• dimensions: 226 x 150 x 15 mm
• weight: 0.338kg
• availability: Available