Can you steal tech in Civ4

[Raider]

If yes, how? I have not been able to figure it out. Thanks in advance.

 

[MrCynical]

No, for some reason this ability is not available to spies, and there is no other way to do it.

 

[pholkhero]

it's not there to make sure that the player has to research himself and not just go w/100% $$ and buy tech parity (a huge complaint from Civ3)

 

[Older than Dirt]

Another clever way to make sure that if you fall behind, you fall further behind. You can capture and destroy a size 20 city in a second, but you are not allowed to torture anyone to obtain the secret of paper.