Mapping Technological Sovereignty: A Geopolitical Network Approach to Domestic Capabilities and External Dependencies in Key Technologies

Technological sovereignty refers to the ability of a state to act autonomously in safeguarding its security and prosperity through access to critical technologies. This concept has gained increasing attention amid rising global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties. We present a novel method for mapping a state's technological sovereignty, building on patent citation networks to trace international knowledge flows. While network-based approaches have been applied in related contexts, this study introduces a novel operationalization of technological sovereignty that incorporates multiple dimensions - focusing on both national capabilities and external dependencies - into a coherent analytical framework. The method is applied to the Netherlands and the ten key technologies identified in the Dutch National Technology Strategy, using patent citation network data (2004–2024) from Lens.org, analyzed in R. Findings show that the Netherlands draws more heavily on foreign knowledge than it contributes to countries abroad. Its position is relatively peripheral, with strong dependencies on countries within the OECD and NATO, particularly the United States. Based on the analysis, further insights for each technology were identified and mapped into opportunities and vulnerabilities. The methodology equips policymakers with a systematic instrument for mapping technological dependencies, pinpointing strategic vulnerabilities and opportunities, and designing sovereignty-enhancing interventions. In addition, the method is intrinsically adaptable and can be readily applied to related analytical contexts.