Knowledge Regulation and National Security in Postwar America

Mario Daniels and John Krige's book explores how export control regulations have been used as a tool for sharing and withholding knowledge since 1945, with the expansion of control over knowledge and know-how being evident from the inclusion of universities and research institutions into a system that mainly targeted business activities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

This groundbreaking book delves into the historical study of export control regulations as a powerful tool for the sharing and withholding of knowledge. Authored by Mario Daniels and John Krige, the book aims to demonstrate the immense political significance that export control regulations have held in American debates on national security, foreign policy, and trade policy since 1945. The authors argue that the issue of regulating the transnational movement of information has been a central concern for the guardians of the American national security state throughout the 20th century, from the 1940s to the present day.

The expansion of control over knowledge and know-how is evident from the systematic inclusion of universities and research institutions into a regulatory system that initially targeted business activities in the 1950s and 1960s. As this book vividly reveals, classification was not the sole, nor the most significant, regulatory instrument that emerged in the postwar era.

The authors explore the various regulatory frameworks that have been put in place to control the export of technology, including licensing agreements, embargoes, and export controls. They examine how these regulations have impacted the exchange of knowledge between different countries, and the ways in which they have shaped the development of scientific and technological advancements.

Furthermore, the book sheds light on the political and economic considerations that have driven the implementation of export control regulations. It explores the tensions between national security interests and the free flow of information, as well as the role of corporations and other private actors in the regulatory process. The authors also examine the impact of export control regulations on international relations, particularly in the context of the Cold War and the ongoing global trade disputes.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the historical development and political implications of export control regulations. It is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between knowledge, power, and international relations.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226817538