Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been quite passionate about their platforms delivering promises of change and progress if ever they win. Based on their debates and answers to questions on different issues, a group of experts from various fields analyzed what these two candidates really put a premium on when asked about economic development. As for Hillary Clinton, experts pointed out that three most prevalent subjects that always come out of Clinton's answers are education, advanced manufacturing, and more funding for scientific research.
The experts that are part of the three-panel discussion are Erica Fuchs, an engineering and public policy professor at the Carnegie Mellon University, Maryann Feldman, public policy professor at the University of North Carolina and the director of the National Science Foundation's Science of Science and Innovation Policy program; and a fellow at the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institute.
The panel discussed the impact of Clinton's policy issues to their fields of interest as well the relationship between Clinton's choices. Why would a candidate whose main agenda was education be also interested in advanced manufacturing and basic research?
The expert said that these three issues/subjects are deeply interconnected with each other. "Science creates new knowledge and creative discoveries. The easiest way to transport knowledge is to wrap it up in an individual. A strong educational system is needed to realize the benefits of science. Advanced manufacturing is an application of science," Felman said.
In terms of advanced manufacturing, it makes a lot of sense why Clinton focuses on this as data shows that the manufacturing industry has generated more jobs and higher paying jobs compared to other industrial sectors. Thus advanced manufacturing can bring in much higher numbers.
However, there's also a danger in putting too much premium in advanced manufacturing where the United States is producing more but laying off more workers. In order to solve this, there should be a policy that keeps things in balance, such as making sure that workers will receive incentives for undergoing training for new jobs as well as creating demand for other industries and jobs.
As for basic research as a job generator, the experts pointed out that realistically, it will not create a lot of jobs by 2020. However, it has a long-lasting impact which will have beneficial reports in the long run and this is what Clinton might be thinking when she talks about basic research.
What will happen is when there is additional funding for research, there will be demand for additional lab equipment, computers, and other science related equipment when scientists and medical professional launch various research projects.
Lastly, they also noted that Clinton views education as a science issue in the way she wants the government to have better access to STEM classes. On the other hand, they pointed out that before it can happen, disparities - racial, economic, etc. - should be addressed first.
There is a big question whether she will continue the policies the Obama administration started, which has some of its stellar moments with the No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds Act. However, these policies also received a lot of criticisms from the public. Whatever, her stand may be on this matter, Clinton will be a very busy president if ever she gets elected in office.
