Mackinder Forum Virtual Seminar #18 on "Who Lost Lucent and What America Has to do to not Lose More Advanced Tech Industries to China" presented by Dr. Robert Atkinson

On Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Eastern Time, US), Dr. Robert Atkinson presented a talk to the Mackinder Forum Seminar on "Who Lost Lucent and What America Has to do to not Lose More Advanced Tech Industries to China."

ABSTRACT: In 2000 the United States was home to the top two telecom equipment companies in the world, Lucent and Nortel (HQ in Canada). Now we have none. The loss was a result of a half decade of deficient US economic policy that ignored competitiveness, coupled with Chinese government economic predation. If we are to avoid losing even more advanced industries like semiconductors, aerospace, and biotech, America needs a new approach.

BIOGRAPHY: As founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), recognized as the world’s top think tank for science and technology policy, Robert D. Atkinson leads a prolific team of policy analysts and fellows that is successfully shaping the debate and setting the agenda on a host of critical issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy. Atkinson’s books include Big is Beautiful: Debunking the Mythology of Small Business (MIT Press, 2018); Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage (Yale, 2012), and The Past And Future Of America’s Economy: Long Waves Of Innovation That Power Cycles Of Growth (Edward Elgar, 2005).

READINGS:

1) Robert D. Atkinson, "Who Lost Lucent?: The Decline of America's Telecom Industry," American Affairs, Fall 2020 (IV, 3): https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2020/08/who-lost-lucent-the-decline-of-americas-telecom-equipment-industry/

2) David Moschella and Robert D. Atkinson, "Competing with China: A Strategic Framework," ITIF, August 31, 2020: https://itif.org/publications/2020/08/31/competing-china-strategic-framework