ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to articulate a number of key concepts from Marxian value theory that will allow us to set out a theoretical framework for a political economy of research and innovation. In doing so, we shall also see that the transcendental analysis of critical realism (CR) is particularly important. Our primary concern, however, is to furnish and justify a meso-level theory regarding cycles of global capitalism and techno-scientific change and their mutual interaction, thereby responding to three tasks, namely:
To furnish a (preliminary) answer to the central question of ‘which political economy (of R&I)?’
By illustration of an argument regarding ‘where are we now?’ in terms of the structural context for analysis of (contemporary) developments in science and the knowledge-based (bio-)economy.
Incorporating techno-scientific change as a crucial (if by no means the only) mediator between ‘science’ and ‘economy’.
