For decades, leadership in technological innovation has sustained U.S. power worldwide. Today, however, processes that undergird innovation increasingly transcend national borders. Cross-border flows of brainpower have reached unprecedented heights, while multinationals invest more and more in high-tech facilities abroad. In this new world, U.S. technological leadership increasingly involves collaboration with other countries. China and India have emerged as particularly prominent partners, most notably as suppliers of intellectual talent to the United States. In The Conflicted Superpower, Andrew Kennedy explores how the worlds most powerful country approaches its growing collaboration with these two rising powers.
Whereas China and India have embraced global innovation, policy in the United States is conflicted. Kennedy explains why, through in-depth case studies of U.S. policies toward skilled immigration, foreign students, and offshoring. These make clear that U.S. policy is more erratic than strategic, the outcome of domestic battles between competing interests. Pressing for openness is the high-tech communitythe technology firms and research universities that embody U.S. technological leadership. Yet these pro-globalization forces can face resistance from a range of other interests, including labor and anti-immigration groups, and the nature of this resistance powerfully shapes just how open national policy is. Kennedy concludes by asking whether U.S. policies are accelerating or slowing American decline, and considering the prospects for U.S. policy making in years to come.
**Explore the Shifting Landscape of Global Innovation: _The Conflicted Superpower_ by Andrew Kennedy** Delve into the intricate dynamics of U.S. technological leadership in a world increasingly defined by cross-border collaboration with Andrew Kennedy's insightful book, _The Conflicted Superpower: America's Collaboration with China and India in Global Innovation_. This compelling hardcover examines how the United States, for decades a beacon of technological prowess, navigates its evolving relationship with rising powerhouses China and India in the global innovation arena. As multinational corporations invest heavily in overseas high-tech facilities and the flow of intellectual capital reaches unprecedented levels, Kennedy unpacks the complexities of U.S. policy responses to this new reality. This meticulously researched book, published by Columbia University Press in 2018 as part of the Nancy Bernkopf Tucker and Warren I. Cohen Book on AmericanEast Asian Relations series, goes beyond simplistic narratives of American dominance. It reveals a conflicted approach within the U.S. towards global innovation, particularly in its interactions with China and India now prominent suppliers of essential intellectual talent. Kennedy, a recognized expert in international political economy and technological change, masterfully dissects the tensions between embracing global partnerships and safeguarding national interests. _The Conflicted Superpower_ doesn't just identify the problem; it delves into the _why_. Through detailed case studies of U.S. policies concerning skilled immigration, international students, and offshoring, Kennedy illuminates the domestic battles that shape America's erratic and often unstrategic approach. He highlights the central role of the "high-tech community," comprised of technology giants and leading research universities, as a powerful force advocating for openness and global collaboration. However, this pro-globalization lobby faces significant resistance from diverse factions, including labor unions concerned about job displacement and anti-immigration groups wary of cultural changes. These competing interests create a complex political landscape that significantly influences national policy. Kennedy's analysis is both timely and crucial, offering a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to the current policy stalemate. He meticulously examines how these internal conflicts affect the United States' ability to capitalize on the opportunities presented by global innovation. He considers the fundamental question: are U.S. policies accelerating or hindering American decline? **Beyond the Headlines: A Deeper Dive into the Issues** * **Skilled Immigration:** Kennedy analyzes the hurdles faced by highly skilled workers seeking to immigrate to the U.S., and the impact these restrictions have on the flow of talent into crucial sectors. He explores the debate surrounding H-1B visas and other immigration programs, revealing the competing pressures from businesses seeking talent and groups advocating for stricter border controls. * **Foreign Students:** With the U.S. long being a top destination for international students, Kennedy examines how policies towards foreign students, particularly those in STEM fields, impact the nation's innovation ecosystem. He reveals the challenges faced by students and potential restrictions on their ability to contribute after graduation. * **Offshoring:** Kennedy provides a detailed analysis of the contentious issue of offshoring, where U.S. companies relocate parts of their operations to other countries. He explores the economic and political ramifications of offshoring, including its impact on American jobs and the competitiveness of U.S. industries. _The Conflicted Superpower_ is essential reading for policymakers, business leaders, academics, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between technology, politics, and international relations in the 21st century. This thought-provoking book offers valuable insights into the future of U.S. technological leadership and the challenges of navigating an increasingly interconnected world. This meticulously researched 280 page work will give you the insight on the subject only Andrew Kennedy can provide. Don't miss this critical examination of America's role in the global innovation landscape.