Andres Oppenheimer
Latin American presidents should take a close look at the latest U.S. technological innovation figures: They show that, despite signs of progress in several countries, the gap between Asian and Latin American countries keeps widening.
New figures from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that Asian countries increased their number of patent registrations by 73 percent over the past 10 years, while Latin American countries increased their registrations by only 34 percent.
In overall numbers, the gap is staggering: Asian countries registered 76,000 patents of new products in
"The difference is abysmal," says
Granted, several Latin American countries are moving in the right direction.
But experts agree there are five main reasons why Asian countries are advancing more rapidly, which has helped their economies grow more and reduce poverty faster.
First, Asian countries invest more in research and development of new products. While
Second, in
That's important because private companies are closer to the markets, and usually invent products that are easier to sell at home and abroad.
Third, Asian universities are producing large numbers of engineers and scientists, while Latin American universities are producing mostly graduates in social sciences and humanities. Last time I counted, the giant state-run
Fourth, Asian countries provide more incentives for companies to invest in research and development, as well as more rewards for university researchers who patent inventions.
"We need a system that rewards researchers not only when they produce a paper, but also when they register a patent," says
Fifth, Asian universities are much more internationalized than
My opinion: The underlying reason why Asian countries are advancing more rapidly in scientific innovation is that their societies have an obsession with education that is still missing in most of
Asian students spend more time in school --
Some Latin American countries, like
But the latest figures from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that they have to move faster, because the gap with developed countries and emerging Asian nations keeps growing.
- Panama's Paradox: A Boom with Gloom
- Latin - Asian Technological Gap Keeps Growing
- Time for United States to Review Its Cuba Policy
- Mexicans Arrest Drug Cartel Financial Manager
- Time for Obama to Look South
- Press Censorship Makes a Comeback in Latin America
- Venezuela's Embarrassment
- Romney's Big Problem: Hispanic Voters
- American Border Law Enforcement Uses More Military Equipment
- 2012 Anything But Boring in the Americas
- Latin America Still Growing, But Economic Fiesta Is Over
- Latin America May Split into Pacific and Atlantic Blocs
- Cuba Asking Advice from IMF? Don't Laugh
- Mexico's Drug Cartels are no 'Terrorist Insurgency'
- Canada and The Kyoto Protocol: Who Says Quitters Never Win?
- Democratic Speed Bumps in Latin America
- Argentina: Lessons of Default
- Latin America is Beating Poverty -- Sort Of
- Brazil and Colombia: An Unexpected Alliance
- China and the End of the Monroe Doctrine
- Major Economies Headed for Slowdown
- Is the National Security Complex Too Big to Fail?
- A Call for an Enlightened Foreign Policy toward Latin America
- The Inequality Behind Chile's Prosperity
- The Mexican Drug Cartel Threat in Central America
- FARC Leader Killed in Colombia
- Helping Cuban Reforms through Agricultural Trade
- A 'Major Win' for Panamanian Corruption
- Mexico Seeks to Extradite Americans Linked to 'Operation Fast And Furious'
- Latin American Politicians Renew Suggestions to Legalize Drugs
- Never-Ending Drug War Moves to Central America
- Venezuela Among World Leaders in Red Tape
- OAS Makes Bad 'Error' in Nicaragua
- Condoleezza Rice Book Shows 'Inattention' to Latin America
- Anonymous vs. Zetas Amid Mexico's Cartel Violence
- Child Poverty and Access to Education: Hidden Costs on the Hispanic Community
- Rafael Correa Remains the Strongest Leader in Ecuador, but his Influence is Waning
- Brazil's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Panamanian Corruption Spreads to Land Holdings and Prominent Politicians
- Cuban Economic Reform Allows Private Home Sales
- Cuba's Communist Party Condemns U.S. Immigration Policy
- Submarine Near Venezuela Prompts Accusations Against United States
Copyright © 2012 The Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Media Services