Science is understood to be the system of human knowledge of nature, society and thought with the nature and the law of their movement expressed by concepts, judgments, doctrines orientated activities of children people. Technology is the application, the materialization of scientific knowledge into production and life, that is the set of solutions, methods, processes, skills, technical means ... Used to create material products and specific services.
The term science and technology is a coherent, coherent statement between theory, theory and practice, practice, research and practical application.
In the early twentieth century, humanity has accumulated a vast intellectual and scientific treasure of science. Karl-Marx (1818 - 1883) had a famous point: "Popular social knowledge (understood as science - TVK) has transformed into a direct production force." However, due to historical conditions, productive forces develop unevenly, no less than 80-90% of the world's population still lives in poor backwardness.
New science and technology began to flourish in the early 1940s and most prominently since the first artificial satellite to conquer space (1957). Human beings flying into space, landing on the moon, as well as other space research is almost "everyday". With the stimulation and support of space technology, new high-technology industries are constantly emerging, especially in information technology, telecommunications, renewable energy technology, etc. Miraculous inventions such as lasers (1967), artificial satellite television (1964), gene synthesis (1973), combinatorial circuits (1965), electronic calculators, Creating the human brain (1994), microprocessor (1971), mechatronics, accelerators, etc.
It can be said that from the second half of the twentieth century, people have expanded their vision, actually connecting their wings to fly and working in the vast space, which has made the space to narrow the gap. Better life, better life, more brain, more depth, understanding the objective world to explore the historical past as well as predict the future more authentic (1) ...
By the end of the twentieth century, it can be said that the social production is changing profoundly in terms of structure, function and mode of operation, creating a leaping development, a turning point in history. Has a great significance to a new economic age (often referred to as the knowledge economy era) transition to a new civilization (often called intellectual civilization) whose cause and motive is the Revolutionary new science and technology (2) formed over the past few decades.
Speaking knowledge-based economy refers to "the economy in which knowledge is produced, used and consumed, plays the most decisive role in economic development, wealth creation, quality of life "(3).
The characteristics of the knowledge economy are the increasing role of ongoing scientific and technological innovations in production and the central role of information and knowledge as a fundamental resource. The growth and competitiveness of the economy.
The researchers also point out that, according to the level of evolution of human civilizations, power is shifting from the power of violence, weapons, money (of two agricultural civilizations, In the new civilization, power no longer depends on the physical strength and wealth available at hand, but mainly on the sources of knowledge. Knowledge resources - basic knowledge is different from natural resources, capital, labor in place when using or exchanging has not been lost but also preserved or enriched. Knowledge is also a "wealth" that any person, any nation, whether weak, The poorest, if determined to learn can also be won, appropriated.
In the field of economy - society, science and technology has really promoted the increase of material wealth, improve the quality of products to meet the increasing demand of human consumption.
Science and technology directly affect labor productivity, reduce labor intensity, reduce costs, production costs, significantly reduce the rate of material consumption, increase the rate of gray matter in the structure. Create products, ... Many new products are born rich, diverse, versatile, beautiful design, small size lighter. Production cycles are also significantly shortened.
According to some reliable statistics:
+ The world economic growth rate in 1990 increased by 28.5% compared to 1982 - the world trade volume increased by 57.9% (IMF, 10/1990).
+ In the first five years of the 21st century, the world's GDP increased by 40.5% (US $ 44 trillion / US $ 31.6 trillion - Statistical Yearbook 2006 / GSO 2006).
In the 18th century, a country that wanted to industrialize usually took 100 years. Early in the twentieth century, about 30 years. In the 70s - 80s it was down to 20 years. In the 90s only less than 10 years (4).