Explaining poor performance of European science: Institutions versus policies

Abstract

This paper offers detailed evidence of the weak performance of European science in the upper tail of scientific quality, in fast moving scientific fields, and in new fields that follow a proliferation pattern of growth, or divergent search regime. The relatively poor performance is offered as a better explanation than the European paradox for current difficulties in high technology industries and trade. The paper calls for a shift of attention, from the level of science policy to the dynamic comparative analysis of deep institutional features of scientific systems, offering a number of provocative statements on scientific institutions in European countries.