Science and technology leadership lies at the heart of the U.S.-China rivalry. In a new paper, RAND's Michael Mazarr outlines a bold strategy to help Washington regain the edge over Beijing, which has taken the lead in many advanced technologies and is catching up in others.
According to Mazarr, the United States should invest in large-scale experiments to create or perfect new generations of technologies that leapfrog current approaches. For example, instead of competing directly with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei in global cellular networks, the United States could pioneer superior post-5G technologies. Similar approaches could apply to semiconductors, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and health care diagnostics.
Multilateralism is key. By teaming up with other countries—from leading democratic powers in Europe and East Asia, to developing nations with emerging tech sectors—the United States can strengthen its odds of achieving a breakthrough in transformative technology.
While this “leapfrog strategy” comes with significant risks and will require further analysis, it may be the best way to secure technology leadership for the United States. The alternative, confronting China's brute strength head-on, is “a losing bet,” Mazarr says.
