Education is America’s ‘secret weapon’
Representatives of the Hudson Institute wrote of America’s secret weapon in the nuclear power race between America and China (Sept. 26, Valley News). According to them, our secret weapon is the engagement of our private sector. They argue that future government investment in nuclear research and development should go to the private sector, with the usual arguments of that sector’s greater flexibility, efficiencies, and speed of accomplishment.
I believe the real “secret weapon” is our government’s historic partnership with our schools of higher learning. Since World War II, our universities have trained an extraordinarily knowledgeable and creative cadre of scientists, engineers and technicians who put the U.S. in the global lead of science and technology across so many domains. The U.S. was the global gold standard for higher learning, and our economy benefited greatly from this intellectual treasure.
Unfortunately, our future intellectual and economic wealth is being destroyed by the Trump Administration’s war on science. Drastic cuts in funding and increased barriers for international students to study in the U.S. are sending American and international students to Europe and Asia for their training and employment. How much longer will our private sector be able to achieve its current levels as the world’s best and brightest go to work elsewhere?
Another thought is that the real intent of the Hudson Institute column, beyond nuclear research, is to convince readers that transferring public funds and intellectual and technical talent from the government to the private sector is the preferred strategy. However, the primary goal of the private sector is profit, and profits do not always align with national priorities. With the private sector in charge, profit will define national priorities.
Neither the government nor the private sector has ever been the paragon of efficiency and nimbleness, regardless of what private sector advocates assure us. However, a properly focused and operating government, at the least, is aimed at benefiting the greater population and national good. Strong governmental support for scientific and technical education, including support for its partnership with universities, is essential to our society’s well-being.