Science and technology in the New Bulgaria

Abstract

Abstract For decades, the field of science and technology in Bulgaria existed as a system based on immorality, avidity, unscrupulousness, and political maneuvering. Links between science and industry were broken. The main reasons were the feudal structure in science and technology, which still exists, and the chaos in the production system. Together these made it impossible to optimize the science- production system. Bulgaria is a country with one of the highest percentages of scientist and research workers in relation to the total number of citizens. Fairly good research centers have been created in the fields of industry and agriculture over the past several decades, but even so the existing scientific and research personnel do not possess the necessary innovative ability. The main reason for that is the Soviet model of science and technology development, which emphasized fundamental studies wholly funded by the State. Despite the fact that some of these research institutions have been acknowledged worldwide for their activities and scientific results, the majority of them have been managed bureaucratically and never realized their full potential. In order to overcome the negative consequences of totalitarianism, a radical restructuring of the Bulgarian science and technological sector is required. This restructuring should be realized simultaneously and in conformity with the building up of both markets and democratic society. Critical and unconventional decisions are required.