I really liked the series that he proposes to us “< a href="http://es.linkedin.com/in/guiller" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guiller” in “Thought in Euskadi” about The Divine Comedy of R+D+i in the Basque Country and I want them to serve as a reflection on many things that are on my mind about political priorities, times of crisis, opportunities…
I agree that the Basque R+D+i system (or whatever we want to call it) has its sins, but I am disturbed by the feeling, which I have had for some time, that its sins are the focal point that captivates attention. Wouldn’t it be better to recognize the sins, make them our own and move forward on the path (I was going to say holiness), but I’ll stay on the path of action?
The new PCTI considers the improvement of the system one of the objectives (Achieving a Science and Technology System that adds value). Personally I was defending that this was not the case since I thought, in line with the first of your 9 sins, that the system is a purely instrumental element of science and technology policy and that the objectives should not be confused with the means. However, the debate and my own personal reflection have made me change my mind (or at least not be so sure of my theses) and I explain myself.
From a purely instrumental system in which its seminal function and foundation is to contribute to Basque companies and society, we are moving, and very quickly, to a new scenario in which the Basque system is required (or will be required) ) make sense in itself, be differential and competitive at a global level because that is the way to add value to the society in which it is inserted.
Just as we want a competitive machine tool (or any other) sector, we also want a top-level knowledge and technology sector that is a benchmark for leading companies globally, whether they are Basque or not.
And this undoubtedly implies considering the system an objective in itself, with specific lines of action, well structured and capable of positioning some of its elements as truly drivers of wealth creation.
Could it be that when we do not understand this, it is when we fall into inbreeding? Could it be that inbreeding is the “gangrene” of the very instrumental vision of the system? Could it be that we have a closed system because the demand of our society and our companies is also closed and mediocre? Where to break this vicious circle?
I will continue my reflection with the rest of the 9 sins, but for now I will stand in case someone deserves some additional reflection.