Dean Ernest J. Wilson Published in Foreign Affairs on Why Silicon Valley Needs a Foreign Policy

CPD University Fellow and Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism Ernest J. Wilson III argues that the high-tech sector needs to start playing a role in U.S. foreign economic policy in his article “Silicon Valley Needs a Foreign Policy,” published in Foreign Affairs on June 20.

In his article, Wilson states that in order to maintain its competitive advantages, the U.S. needs to pursue a more tech-supportive foreign policy, incorporating the strength of the innovative sector into its soft and hard power. This cannot be achieved, however, until the tech sector steps up and unites to lobby for its interests.

Wilson cites the success of the high-tech industry’s fight against SOPA as well as Google’s stance against China as two of very few instances in which major U.S. tech firms leveraged their power in politics. While the tech sector is highly divided and represents a variety of different interests, he points to the multitude of areas such as the openness of the internet, investment in education and research, and immigration as common grounds where these firms could unite to put pressure on the U.S. government to act.

Further, he argues that more tech-favorable domestic policy would give the country greater international competitiveness and the ability to be a leader in the information age.

To read the full article, please click here.

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