Volume 16, issue 4/2021

Comparison of Legal Mechanisms Aimed at Harmonising Policies on Science, Technology and Innovation in Foreign Countries and the Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The purpose of this monitoring is to collect, analyse, and subsequently compare the legal mechanisms aimed at harmonising policies on science, technology and innovation in foreign countries and the Russian Federation. The study focuses on the mechanisms of harmonising government policies on science, technology and innovation that are applied abroad (specifically in India, Norway, Switzerland and Australia) and in the Russian Federation. Monitoring Tools. The study employs general scientific methods (analytical, systematic, functional) and specific scientific methods (the formal legal method, interpretation of legal rules). Results. The materials collected while preparing this paper paint a picture of the tools that are used around the world (in countries like India, Norway, Switzerland and Australia in particular) to harmonise government policies on science, technology and innovation. Looking at each of the countries listed, we examine the essential legal and regulatory documents, including strategic programme documents, used as basis for making decisions on taking specific measures in the field, as well as the powers of the relevant competent bodies. We also analyse similar regulations and mechanisms that exist in the Russian Federation. Conclusion. Our study results in determining the most successful examples of foreign mechanisms aimed at harmonising government policies on science, technology and innovation, which can be potentially borrowed in the Russian Federation. These insights can be used by lawyers and research associates as part of their professional and scientific activities in the field of legislation on science, technology and innovation.

Keywords

Science and technology policy, science and technology field, innovation policy, state governance, policy harmonisation mechanism, international practice

Information about the authors

Maria O. Dashkova, Junior Researcher, Russian Research Institute of Economics, Politics and Law in Science and Technology (20A Dobrolyubova St., Moscow 127254, Russia), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1469-0343. Her research interests focus on the normative and legal regulation of science, innovation and intellectual property, including the problems of implementation, improvement of legislation and practice of its application.

Milena G. Vok, Laboratory Researcher, Russian Research Institute of Economics, Politics and Law in Science and Technology (20A Dobrolyubova St., Moscow 127254, Russia), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2938-455X. Her research interests focus on the normative and legal regulation of science, innovation and intellectual property, including the problems of implementation, improvement of legislation and practice of its application.

Authors’ contribution:

• M. O. Dashkova — analysis of legal mechanisms ensuring the harmonising the science, technology and innovation policy in the Russian Federation;
• V. G. Vok — analysis of legal mechanisms aimed at harmonising the science, technology and innovation policy in foreign countries.