Is massive mobilization a viable government response to the future?
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to review the response of the National Academies of Science, in the USA to the question posed by the US Congress as to how the USA can remain competitive in a world with rapid advances in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It posits that the responses via rapid scaling up of research cannot meet the needs as it has in the past as with putting a person on the moon or mastering nuclear energy.
Design/methodology/approach
The article reviews alternatives that describe and reframe the problem and provides alternative possibilities for a response by the USA.
Findings
The ability of knowledge to migrate globally via the internet or the migration of humans coupled with the rapid rise in education and research in India and China suggest that the USA needs to reassess its position in a changing world both from an technological and economic perspective.
Originality/value
The analysis provides a future perspective that is counter‐intuitive and offers an alternative from which to develop policy and support of technology development in a global society.
Keywords
Citation
Abeles, T.P. (2008), "Is massive mobilization a viable government response to the future?", Foresight, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 3-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636680810883080
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited