This collection of essays is novel in three important ways. Firstly, it takes the movement of knowledge as the key object for a transnational approach. Secondly, while respecting the injunction to write histories that are not confined by the borders of the national container, it shows how much national borders matter when knowledge is at stake. Thirdly, knowledge is not restricted to information: it includes know-how and tacit knowledge that can be embodied in ideas, people, and things. Knowledge is power, and states regulate its movement to protect their economic and military interests. These ... More

This collection of essays is novel in three important ways. Firstly, it takes the movement of knowledge as the key object for a transnational approach. Secondly, while respecting the injunction to write histories that are not confined by the borders of the national container, it shows how much national borders matter when knowledge is at stake. Thirdly, knowledge is not restricted to information: it includes know-how and tacit knowledge that can be embodied in ideas, people, and things. Knowledge is power, and states regulate its movement to protect their economic and military interests. These themes are developed for the 20th century, when the United States was a major hub in global networks through which knowledge moved, though not always the dominant one. Separate chapters link it southwards to Latin America, to China, India and Japan in Asia, to "French" Algeria and to Italy (and on into Kenya). Physics, mathematics, and agriculture are heavily represented. So, too, are space science and technology and the social sciences. The range of actors includes subaltern and elite individuals, philanthropic foundations, universities, scientific organizations, governments, and international/global institutions. Knowledge does not move "by itself" across borders: its journey through lumpy networks is a social accomplishment.