This monograph explores the aims, priorities, and international dimensions of the world's research and development (R&D) enterprise. Global R&D priorities in order of importance include military technology, basic research, space, energy, health, information processing, transportation, pollution control, and agriculture. The majority of R&D efforts are made by industrialized nations and are geared to meeting the political and economic goals of industrialized nations. In leading the global R&D race the United States has recently encountered competition from Japan and Western Europe due to their recovery from economic and manpower losses incurred during World War II. One lasting effect of World War II has been the merging of science and government. Control of funds gives governments great influence over national R&D priorities. Formerly producing the atomic bomb, mass production of penicillin, and radar, government-funded scientific R&D now emphasizes nuclear research. Funds for basic research generally are awarded to universities. Corporate R&D receives funds from industry as well as government. In the United States, most of the industrial R&D occurs in aerospace, electronics, and motor vehicles. Because developing nations are so technologically dependent upon industrialized nations, efforts have been made recently to form international R&D coalitions to study Third World problems. (AV)