It seems clear that our biggest challenges of the future are nuclear weapons proliferation, air and water pollution, ozone depletion,and global warming. Since these are problems of science and technology, whose other cutting edge helps raise our standard of living, they will not go away. Science and technology are self-accelerating. Hence, while their benefit is huge, their problems will exacerbate. If anything, harmful consequences, possibly coming from genetic engineering and biological, chemical and cyber terrorism, may present themselves.
Global problems require global efforts.
The United States needs to induce nations such as China, India and Russia to trade with us and share cleaner, safer and more cost-effective science and technology to keep improving our standard of living and quality of life. Our self-interests demands the cultivation of strategic partners. Bill Clinton described George Bush as being soft on China to help defeat him in the 1992 election. This election year, George W. Bush describes Clinton and Vice President Gore as being soft on China to court votes from Republicans. While turn-about is fair play in a game, one hopes for more substantive messages from presidential candidates.