ABSTRACT
The emphasis is on stopping bad things, such as perceived giveaways of United States technology, foreign takeovers, or lobbying for foreign companies by former US Government officials, rather than promoting good things, such as restoring economic health and building a new post-Cold War order. The challenge for policymakers is to strengthen America’s leadership role by integrating economics and national security in a positive policy framework. America’s economic ascendancy was so pronounced that the economic component of national security began to be taken for granted. By contrast, in Europe and Japan the defense industry is considered to play a part in furthering the nation’s industrial goals. The success of industry associations depends on who represents them, but the best ones can usually affect legislation, at least at the margin. Finding satisfactory answers to questions like these will require leaders who are capable of facing up to the unique weaknesses of American habits and institutions.
