Triple Helix model: economic and ideological mechanisms to materialize the interests of the capital

Abstract

This essay focuses on the production process of scientific knowledge in universities and its association with interests of capital. Our aim is to reflect about the model known as Triple Helix, including the association between academy, firms and government. We advocate that the public fund acts like an economic and ideological mechanism, which enables to carry out the interests of capital. The preparation of this essay was conceived under the Tragtenberg and Oliveira discussions about relations between State and private initiative. Our goal is to show that the (re)distribution of public funds tends to be destined to benefit the capitalist class. This occurs due to the nature of State in Triple Helix model, i.e. academy, firms and government acting to the same end (private interests). The Triple Helix model implementation needs to be analyzed from a dialectic materialistic reading and beyond its manifestation forms. It is necessary to intensify competition for the application of public funds geared towards knowledge and technologies that will serve human emancipation rather than perpetuate alienation.