TRANSFORMATION OF THE RESEARCH SYSTEM IN A TRANSITIONAL SOCIETY - THECASE OF RUSSIA

This paper explores the transformation of the Soviet model of science in the recent transitional period. It begins by analyzing the most imp ortant features of this model, which remained essentially unchanged fr om the 1920s to the 1990s; its conflict with the new conditions of dev elopment has made the transitional period more dramatic. The second pa rt of the paper investigates the mechanisms of mounting crisis and cha os within the Russian research system, as it interacted with economic, social and political crisis, and with the transformation of state, ma rket and social institutions. The dramatic decline in R&D funding, and the ineffective and inconsequential early reforms, gave rise to destr uctive tendencies. To counterbalance these, new, creative tendencies h ave appeared initiated both by scientists themselves, and also by the Ministry of Science and Technological Policy. The process of forming a new model of science and science policy is now under way. These matte rs are considered in the final part of the paper.