Basing his arguments on a historical survey of the development of science and technology, the author argues for the strengthening of the autonomous S and T capacity of the Third World and gives special attention to the need for a recovery and development of traditional technologies. Such a policy would call for a reorientation of production away from an imitative pattern of consumption that favors a great diversity of goods for higher-income groups, and thus requires a widespread importation of technologies. A different productive structure, based on the satisfaction of basic human needs and with greater emphasis on collective rather than individual consumption, could reduce substantially the need for imported technology and lead to an increased demand for local scientific and technological activities. © 1980.