Abstract

Technological innovation in a science-based core-world culture has long been understood to be a preeminent force-multiplier in international affairs, affecting the nature and magnitude of both economic and military prowess.  Since the 1940s, if not before, the United States has led all states in this domain but has recently been challenged by rapid strides in Chinese capabilities.  The present competition has major implications not just for global influence but also for domestic political culture in the United States, whose traditional institutional model for maintaining scientific-technical superiority may no longer suffice for the purpose.

About the Speaker

Adam Garfinkle is on a year-long engagement at RSIS as Distinguished Visiting Fellow.  Aside from being Founding Editor of The American Interest, he has served as Editor of The National Interest, as Principal Speechwriter to the US Secretary of State while attached to the Policy Planning Staff of the State Department, was chief writer of the Hart-Rudman Commission reports, and has taught at several institutions of higher education including SAIS/Johns Hopkins. His PhD in International Relations is from the University of Pennsylvania.