Character development in science fiction

I have read a lot of science fiction and I love it for the simple fact that science fiction lets the author explore ideas and situations that would be impossible in the real world. There is always hard science fiction which tries to predict the development of technology but leaving that most science fiction is really fantasy which uses a futuristic setting and technologies as plot devices. I know that for every statement I make about what science fiction is or isn't there will be someone to point out a sub-genre in science fiction where that statement doesn't apply. Hence, please understand that all my statements have the qualifier: "From what science fiction I have read."

I recently noticed the stark difference between the writing styles of science fiction authors regarding the definition and development of characters as the story progresses. Some science fiction authors create richly detailed worlds and universes, where characters are merely present to move the story along. In such stories, the development of the universe in which the story unfolds is the focus. These stories are are based on the idea of, "Imagine a world in which/where ...". Neal Stephenson's 'Diamond Age' is a perfect example. The characters are important, but the technology and society is even more important. Other examples being, Michael Crichton's books (Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, The Lost World, Prey, Next) or Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's books (Footfall, The Mote in God's Eye, The Gripping Hand). However, I concede that the character of Horace Hussein Bury was developed well in the last two books that I have mentione above. Even some of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series novels fall under this category.

Then there are books where the whole story moves forward as the development of characters in them. Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series, Orson Scott Card's Ender series fall in this category. These have richly detailed worlds too but the characters are more important than the worlds then inhabit.

And then there are authors who manage to blend character and world development in eqaul proportions. David Weber's Honor Harrington series, Issac Asimov's Robot series with Elijah Baley and R. Daneel Oligvaw, Brian Aldiss' Non-Stop, Frederick Pohl's Heechee series or even Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series.

I have no prefercence amongst the three categories of stories. I like each style because it has its own merits. Of the authors and their works that I have listed not all of them have the same capabilities and some do better than others in terms of character development. Not all stories require character development to be told well. Sometimes the universe IS more fascinating than the characters in it. However, I can't appreciate stories where neither the universe nor the characters are detailed. The terms 2-D characters or cardboard cutout characters seem apt because the characters are not developed and consequently they lack the depth required to hold my attention.

A simple trick to identify a 2-D character is to try and describe him/her. If you can do it in less than 3 sentences then the character is just there to move the story along. Many a times you can do it in just one sentence. Let's take the movie Independence Day for example. It is a typical alien invasion movie. The actors and their characters:
Bill Pullman - President of USA who is an ex-fighter pilot.
Jeff Goldblum - MIT schooled engineer who hacks the alien's computers.
Will Smith - Hot shot USAF pilot who takes the fight to the aliens.

Do you see what I am trying to get at here ?