Impacts of Government and Politics

Introduction

Through this study of the history of technology and engineering you have seen the evolution of technology over time and the associated impact to human civilizations. As you have seen in many cases, the development of significant technological breakthroughs has been by government directive. Consider the common threads of these examples to understand why certain types of innovations were enabled through each civilization’s organized leadership. The Ancient Greece and Roman civilizations invested in the technologies of weaponry and civil engineering infrastructure projects. China built the Great Wall, but also was advanced in metallurgy and associated weaponry. Advance forward to World Wars and the improvements of aluminum smelting to make aircraft, and then the rushed creation of the atomic bomb.

You will explore the role of government in the decision making for and development of advanced technologies to accomplish key needs and goals for their nation.

Explore

Governments come in many different forms and have changed very much over the timeline of engineering and technology. To understand the participation of government in technological innovation, realize that the primary role of government, of any form, is to provide protection and security for the nation. Early civilizations formed governments for large vital needs because the resources of a group are more effective than that of an individual. Governments provide vital services for protection and security, infrastructure, and continued security of the nation through technical and appropriate education of youth.

Challenge

Take Away

Segments of the Great Wall were built by ancient Chinese kingdoms in defense from invasion from neighboring kingdoms. As territories spread and kingdoms enlarged, the walls were often connected and extended. When China was unified, an expansion of the Great Wall was built to secure the northern border.

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