Critical Analysis

1. According to the data in the graph above, what year saw the highest percent of the GDP spent on research and development (R + D) by the federal government?

2. In 2020, what percent of the GDP was spent on research and development by the Federal government?

3. Describe the trend in research and development spending between 1964 and 2020.

4. What is one explanation for that trend?

5. Research and development are part of a process to help us find solutions to problems using science, engineering, and technology. There are three main categories that R&D contracts are classified under: Basic, Applied, and Experimental Development. Describe the process by which the different branches of the federal government are able to be involved in funding and carrying out research and development.

6. In the 1950s the federal government funded the development of the semiconductor. The Defense Department built the original internet — and Google, Microsoft, Amazon and others expanded it. The National Institutes of Health funded laboratory experiments — and pharmaceutical companies created treatments based on them, including for Covid-19. There are similar stories in energy, automobiles, aviation and other industries. What was the most important innovation the federal government developed through its high level of r and d in the 1950s and 1960s?

7. My friend named Lisa, who I just made up, is a supply-side economist. Lisa says that the development of technology is best left to the market. What does not-real Lisa mean by this and explain whether she’s right.

8. According to the chart below* how does the U.S. compare to other countries when it comes to research and development (R+D) spending by federal government as a portion of GDP, and why do you think China more than doubles the spending of the US every year?

9. According to the totally rad chart below* what federal departments and agencies spend the most on R + D?

10. What would the general opinion be of federal government funded research and development from the following:

    Libertarian

    Socialist

    A supply-side economist (named Lisa)

    Democrat in 1964

    Democrat in 2020

    Republican in 1964

    Republican in 2020

    Anti-Federalist in 1787

    Chinese government 2020

Learning Extension

Read Fred Kaplan’s Slate article about how the U.S. government created the microchip in 1959 - the best year EVER.

Action Extension

Contact your U.S. freaking Senator and share your opinion about U.S. government spending on R and D.

Visual Extension*