The “duality” of technological duality

implications for developing countries

Abstract

Although developed countries defend free trade, paradoxically, they exercise protectionist practices to maintain their technological supremacy on the international stage, as well as the technological dependence of peripheral countries. In the defense sector, prominent nations seek to achieve autonomy and technological sovereignty in their military capabilities, as well as to hinder the domination of critical and sensitive technologies by developing countries. In this regard, technological restrictions stand out, whose actions aim to deepen or at least maintain technological asymmetries. In this context, using a qualitative exploratory approach, this article aims to discuss a relevant and original aspect identified during the study: the “duality” of technological duality. For developing countries, duality presents itself as an opportunity to mobilize support not only financially, but also in the political and strategic spheres to obtain military investments. For developed countries, the hypothesis that duality can be used as a tool for selective technological restrictions was validated.