Presidential Candidates’ Stand On Technology

In the past two decades, the significance of information technology has appreciated rapidly to the point it is generally accepted that it is the way of the future. Another accepted fact is the influence of US Politics as a determinant of world politics. With the US Election primaries currently on going, it is interesting to see what the future leaders of a superpower nation of the world has in mind for the future of IT. This article will attempt to analyse the policies and stand of the leading candidates of the current election.

Starting off with the Republicans, John McCain’s focus on innovation is, as he stated, “fueled by risk capital, skilled workers, incentives for entrepreneurs, a light regulatory framework and open access to markets”. McCain supports the increase of immigration to the US by the expansion of the H-1B visa programme. He also supports embryonic stem cell research. The stem cell research, controversial due to its nature of manipulation of human cells, the devaluation of human life and in conflict with pro-life movements, however, has the potential to treat a variety of degenerative conditions and genetic diseases. The implication of these policies as a whole on digital business is the increase influx rate of high tech employment in the United States along with a more favourable Oval Office response to funding of various bio-tech endeavors.

Moving on to the Democrats, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s focus on improving science and technology is through innovation. She plans to do so with increased funding for R&D and emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, specifically tripling the number of National Science Foundation Fellowship and increasing each size by 33% and increase financial support for minorities and women. Clinton’s technological platform also focuses on ensuring adequate funding for e-science research, which will link Internet based tools, collaboration tools, supercomputers, high speed network and software for simulation and visualization. She will also invest in the speedier development of the next generation technology required to replace the aging Space Shuttle. As an analysis, Clinton’s policies on technology will possibly lead to a more interesting development in the field of information technology compared to other candidates and her emphasis on education bodes well for the future development of the sector in general.

Barack Obama’s stand on technology and innovation is similar to Clinton on the STEM education front. As a differentiating factor from Clinton, Obama plans to create a new position of Chief Technology Officer to ensure the government has the most updated technology available and improving the H – 1B visa program to attract highly skilled talents. He also plans to expand access of broadband connections and computers to public schools as well as investing in programs like the Defense Advances Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This is particularly interesting as DARPA is credited with some of the most important innovation that brought information technology to where it is today, such as computer networking, NLS – the first hypertext linking system and a precursor to the graphical user interface. As an analysis, Obama’s focus on innovation, with its amalgamation of strong policies present in both McCain and Clinton’s, makes it one of the more promising policies for the future of the industry.