It's the Economy that Matters Most
Abstract
Three sets of security challenges face the United States: the current challenge of winning the "long war," potential security challenges identified by U.S. strategy documents, and unforeseen or uncertain events which can shock the system. This paper argues that the best way to mitigate risk across a broad range of current, identifiable, and uncertain security challenges is to develop a national strategy that focuses on developing an adaptive, responsive economy. An adaptive, responsive economy is one that adjusts and reacts appropriately to changing environmental conditions. Solving the strategic risk equation requires a shift of focus from the military to the economic element of U.S. power. Therefore, the most important element of U.S. security strategy must be to recognize the U.S. economy as its Strategic Center of Gravity and to enact policies that enable and protect the U.S. economy. This paper explains why the economy must be an integral element of a future National Security Strategy, and offers some domestic and foreign policy recommendations to enable and protect an adaptive, responsive economy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 07, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA486728
Entities
People
- Richard J. Holdren
Organizations
- United States Army War College