Evolution of the public institutions of science, technology, and innovation in Chile: 1990–2012

This work presents a description of the evolution of Science and Technology (S&T) Policies in Chile. We have differentiated three periods: before the creation of the National Innovation Council for Competitiveness (CNIC, according to its Spanish acronym) and the establishment of royalties (specific taxes) up to the extraction of mineral resources, from the creation of both institutions up to the end of President Bachelet’s government, and the years under the leadership of President Piñera. We will study the second-and third-mentioned periods in greater detail, as it was during these years that the present institutional framework began to take shape. This analysis will make clear that there are different alternatives when constructing public innovation support systems and that each has its associated risks and advantages.