同時代史研究という視座と科学技術政策(<特集>科学技術イノベーション政策の科学)

抄録

The object of this short paper is to show a possibility for the historical approach to launch a research program in "Science for Policy in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy." How does writing a history resolve such highly modem problems as related to "Science and Technology" as well as "Innovation"? To answer this question, this paper proposes the method I would name "contemporary historical approach as a policy study." Obtaining policy expertise on science and technology has mostly depended upon the social sciences like economics and management, and other science studies. However, I would like to suggest that the historical approach is no less powerful than quantitative examinations by other social sciences for two reasons. First, policy-related investigations usually focus on what has happened during the recent couple decades, whose description itself can be regarded as a "contemporary history." Second, the evidence-based historical account can instill a sense of "reality" to understanding the background of policy analysis. The contemporary historical approach I would propose is not a simple reproduction of our past experiences. It would be most important to do as much data-collection and fact-findings as possible, to exploit memories of the interviewed persons, and to select only meaningful facts out of them. In so doing, this approach would bring in more realistic explanations to the current policy studies.