Bauxite-Aluminum Industry: U.S. Technology Transfer to Resource-Rich Developing Countries.

摘要

This study looks at the politics of raw materials supply and the role of technology transfer,primarily through the private industrial sector,as a potential mechanism to guarantee future access to stable raw materials supplies. It examines,in the bauxite-aluminum sector,current trends toward nationalization, cartelization and other economic actions on the part of resource-rich developing countries and the resultant capacity of these countries to purchase advanced technology with higher foreign exchange revenues. The study follows a framework of issues and actors,looking first at the different perspectives which bear on the particular issue-area and then the implications of these perspectives for individual actors and mechanisms (direct investment,etc.) involved in technology transfer. The actors in this case are:the US Government,the US aluminum industry,and foreign bauxite suppliers. The issues include the economics of substitution,supply and demand,foreign investment and trade policy. National security and foreign policy issues are also examined. Trends are identified which suggest possible shifts in industry-government relationships with the US and in industry-foreign supplier relationships. The report contains a bibliography.