Complex Business of Building an Industrial Base Strategy

摘要

The paper reviews and analyzes U.S. Industrial base performance during theTwentieth Century (through the Gulf War) and examines major studies and indicators of industrial base decline. Four pressures which abet industrial decline, six specific obstacles which block industrial preparedness initiatives, and five variables which influence solutions to industrial base problems are discussed. Key areas covered include: recognition of the industrial base as linkage between economic and military power; unacceptability of industrial policy solutions to industrial base problems; and assessment of economic competitors as a more serious threat than potential military adversaries. The paper makes recommendations for development of strategies, objectives, and programs/initiatives to enhance industrial preparedness. Major recommendations include: development of multiple strategies (industrial mobilization strategy becomes an element of national economic strategy and industrial surge strategy is isolated as a component of national military strategy); and consolidation and refocusing of industrial base responsibility and authority (Department of Commerce designated lead for mobilization production).