Alternative Periodization and Institutional Support of Technological Paradigms

Technological paradigm refers to a set of dominant technologies within an economy. The theory of technological paradigms represents an attempt to explain the logic behind the shifts in these technological sets (to establish certain patterns) and their impact on the economies of nations.A weak point of the theory of technological paradigms is the periodization of these paradigms, as global technological development occurs unevenly.Determining the exact date of the dissemination of a particular technology is extremely challenging.This remains the most contentious issue.Purpose.This article is dedicated to substantiating global wars and ideological confrontations as the primary drivers of technological change; developing an alternative periodization of technological paradigms; and justifying the institutional support for technological paradigms.Results.The authors argue that the existing periodization of technological paradigms fails to account for the profound impact of global wars and ideological confrontations on innovative developments and their integration into economies, as well as the resulting distortions in the economies of nations under these influences.This impact is a crucial factor in the shift of technological paradigms.Therefore, it becomes necessary to incorporate the dates of wars into the periodization of technological paradigms.The authors do not challenge the number of paradigms or the dominant technologies themselves, but they propose adjustments to the timeframes and duration of these paradigms based on the aforementioned arguments.