Knowledge is an essential factor for producing goods and services, and for policymaking also. Its use does not diminish the quantity available, but rather augments its quality. Decentralisation of policymaking implies that far more bodies need knowledge resulting from research. Not only should available knowledge be made better accessible, research should be directed so as to serve the needs of all potential users, and not only of large organisations. The United States provides an example how, in a strong decentralised structure of decision making, development and dissemination of knowledge can be organised. In parallel, however, one should keep in mind that The Netherlands are part of the European Union and other international relations. (A)
Samenvatting