Nowadays, a standard for measuring power has changed. These changes foretell a new standard for measuring power. No longer will a nation’s political influence be based solely on the strength of its military forces. Of course, military effectiveness will remain a primary measure of power. But political influence is also closely tied to industrial competitiveness. It’s often said that without its military the Soviet Union would really be a third-world nation. The new standard of power and influence that is evolving now places more emphasis on the ability of a country to compete effectively in the economic markets of the world.
America must recognize this new course of s. Our success in shaping world s over the past 40 years has been the direct result of our ability to adapt technology and to take advantage of the capabilities of our people for the purpose of maintaining peace. Our industrial prowess (杰出才能) over most of this period was unchallenged. It is ironic that it is just the prowess that has enabled other countries to prosper(繁荣) and in turn to threaten our industrial leadership.
The competitiveness of America’s industrial base is an issue bigger than the Department of Defense and is going to require the efforts of the major institutional forces in our society--not be a strong force in the process because we will. But we simply cannot be, nor should we be, liked upon by others as the savior (救星) of American industry.
The author indicates that ______ is threatening American political power.