The International Circulation of Scientists and Technologists

Abstract

The dramatic contrasts in opinion about the effects of international scientific migration are traced to its intrinsic character as a polymorphic, recurrent phenomenon whose costs and benefits have never been successfully evaluated. The tendency to assign countries the status of “winner” or “loser” in migration patterns is shown to be of dubious usefulness in an era of changing economic paradigms and increased interconnection of scientists via electronic communication networks. Nevertheless, those countries with neither improving economies nor easy and inexpensive network connections may still find themselves at a disadvantage in the global flow of scientific talent.