ABSTRACT
The 'modern' elements in the economy have frequently served to widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. The importation of technology for purposes of development has thus been bedevilled with problems; these problems are usually discussed in terms of the inappropriateness of Western technology and the formation of technological dependency. In 1985 the UK government was keen to encourage a deal whereby helicopters worth 65 million would be purchased from the Westland Company by India for use, for example, in the oil industry off Bombay. From a European perspective countries which experience these difficulties may seem to be faced with natural extremes. The nations with expertise in new technologies may then be interested in trading them with underdeveloped countries. France and the UK have recently negotiated involvement in the establishment of nuclear power facilities in China. Indeed, the scientific community in Third World countries is often spoken of as 'alienated'.
