{
  "id": "RL31018",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL31018",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 100440,
      "date": "2001-06-15",
      "retrieved": "2016-05-24T20:23:30.546941",
      "title": "Globalization: Implications for U.S. National Security",
      "summary": "Globalization is a term usually used to describe intercontinental economic, social, and political\nintegration. Many people, businesses, and countries benefit from globalization but others may be \nhurt economically, some cultures may be harmed, and the environment may suffer. U.S. national\nsecurity faces both benefits and risks from globalization. \n Several contemporary developments that effect U.S. security are often linked to globalization\neven though they may not be not directly related to multinational integration. Developments such\nas decreased defense budgets, increased military use of civilian products and technology,\nprivatization of defense R&D, consolidation of defense industries, and increased military use\nof\nsophisticated information systems are the results of decisions based on changes in the foreign threat,\ntechnological innovations, and domestic political and economic changes. Globalization and other\ndevelopments affecting U.S. defense industry and government research, acquisition, security, and\nexport control policies have shaped a security environment sharply different than that of the Cold\nWar.\n Globalization may actually reduce the risks of conflict among closely connected nations. \nEconomic integration probably contributes to international political stability by increasing economic\ninterdependence and helping the spread of democracy. In conjunction with related defense\ndevelopments, globalization has contributed to enhanced U.S. military capabilities through the\nefficient application of commercial technologies and commercial services, and has improved\ninteroperability of allied forces, according to a study by the Defense Science Board. The U.S.\nMilitary's exploitation of advanced information systems, sensors, navigation devices, and computers\n- some of the same technologies that have driven globalization, has enabled U.S. leaders to\ncoordinate firepower and troop movements with unprecedented combat effectiveness while reducing\nthe level of U.S. casualties.\n Globalization is also increasing U.S. vulnerability as key military and dual-use technologies\nbecome available to all countries that can afford them and world travel and information flows have\nbeen made inexpensive and relatively easy. The U.S. armed forces also have become more reliant\non sophisticated electronics - some of it produced abroad - and are exposed to new forms of\ninformation warfare. The military industrial base may become less responsive to national security\nneeds as it takes clients, materials, labor, and capital from the global market.\n Many policy options have been suggested that may offer limited means for exploiting the\nopportunities and ameliorating the problems created by globalization and related developments. \nSome options that are likely to receive congressional consideration include: modifying defense\nR&D,\nprocurement, force structure, forward deployment, and information security. The changing\nenvironment could also prompt the United States to reexamine its alliance relationships, industrial\nand work force policies, nonproliferation and export controls programs.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL31018",
          "sha1": "31078adbb50e98426ae6553329b150d507ad80e1",
          "filename": "files/20010615_RL31018_31078adbb50e98426ae6553329b150d507ad80e1.pdf",
          "images": null
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20010615_RL31018_31078adbb50e98426ae6553329b150d507ad80e1.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}