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(威力)over most of this period was unchallenged. It is ironic(有讽刺性的) that it is just this prowess that has enabled other countries to prosper 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, government, industry, and education. That is not to say that the defense department will not be a strong force in the process. But we simply cannot be, nor should we be, looked upon by others as the savior(救星) of American industry.
The author indicates that______is threatening American political power.