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Difficulty: EasyPost-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

Source: President George H. W. Bush, Statement on Signing the Immigration Act of 1990, November 29, 1990

> "This legislation represents a significant step forward in our efforts to reform and modernize our nation’s immigration system. . . . S. 358 meets several objectives of this Administration: it provides for a significant increase in the number of immigrants admitted under the employment-based categories, while also expanding the opportunities for family reunification. By choosing to welcome more highly skilled and educated workers, we strengthen our economy and help ensure American competitiveness in the global marketplace."

The policy changes described in the excerpt most directly reflect which of the following late-twentieth-century developments?

  1. A
    The expansion of containment policies to restrict the entry of political refugees from East Asia
  2. B
    A shift toward supply-side economic reforms that increased federal spending on public welfare programs
  3. The transition to a knowledge-based economy that increased demand for highly skilled laborAnswer
  4. D
    The redirection of national security policies to prioritize preemptive defense against non-state actors

Answer

The transition to a knowledge-based economy that increased demand for highly skilled labor
The correct answer is correct because the Immigration Act of 1990's emphasis on admitting more highly skilled and educated workers to ensure global competitiveness reflects the United States' transition toward a knowledge-based, service-oriented economy in the late twentieth century, where technological innovation and specialized skills became central to economic growth.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus passage.
The excerpt shows President George H.W. Bush discussing the Immigration Act of 1990, highlighting a policy that increases the admission of "highly skilled and educated workers" to ensure "competitiveness in the global marketplace."
Understanding the core message of the source text is necessary to connect it to broader historical trends.
2
Identify the historical context of the late-twentieth-century United States economy.
During the late twentieth century, the United States was transitioning away from traditional manufacturing toward a service-oriented, high-technology, and knowledge-based economy that valued skilled labor.
This context explains the economic rationale behind seeking highly skilled immigrants to boost competitiveness.
3
Evaluate the choices and select the option that directly connects the stimulus to this trend.
The transition to a knowledge-based economy matches the policy's focus on skilled labor and global competitiveness.
Connecting the stimulus to the correct historical development yields the correct answer.

Key Concept

Post-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Post-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

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