Abstract
This paper argues that the downturn in the global economy will negatively impact not only investment, production, and employment in Latin America, but also its accumulated stock of human capital and technological capability. The risk is that the crisis may lead to cutbacks in some of the areas that are most critical for the medium and long term viability of Latin America. After a brief historical overview of the evolution of the economic structure, and the demand for innovation, it summarizes four lessons that have been learned about technology policy in Latin America. It concludes with some reflections on the types of measures that are necessary to strengthen Latin America’s future prospects
