The dynamics of science in the perimeter of the center: a scientificboundary culture?

João Arriscado Nunes

This paper discusses the conditions of the
translocalization and globalization of modern
science, as well as the specific conditions
of scientific institutionalization and
activity in semiperipheral societies, such as
Portugal. As a semiperipheral society
which is part of a core region of the world
system ­ the European Union ­, Portugal
displays a number of specificities which are
examined in relation to the recent process
of creating and institutionalizing a national
system of research and development,
associated with a scientific boundary culture.