Lost in transition: systemic innovations and the new role of the state in industrial policy

We argue that the present economic crisis reflects the on-going transition towards a networked, knowledge based, globalised economy, and this transition affects the role of industrial policies. From this perspective, we suggest that the State should intervene along three main lines. First, action is needed to make the quality and innovative potential of territories recognisable. Second, substantial investments should be targeted to human capital formation, and to communication skills and infrastructures. Third, policies should be designed to maintain and upgrade skill intensive activities, and to attract high value added foreign investment. A bottom up approach should be adopted in the design of policies, as to favour the self-organization of individuals, creative clusters and communities.