Number: RL33528
Title: Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy
Authors: Wendy H. Schacht, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: There is ongoing interest in the pace of U.S. technological advancement due to its influence on U.S. economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. Because technology can contribute to economic growth and productivity increases, congressional attention has focused on how to augment private-sector technological development. Legislative activity over the past 25 years has created a policy for technology development, albeit an ad hoc one. Because of the lack of consensus on the scope and direction of a national policy, Congress has taken an incremental approach aimed at creating new mechanisms to facilitate technological advancement in particular areas and making changes and improvements as necessary.
Pages: 21
Date: August 25, 2008