The economy has been on a long term trend of requiring more and more training since the start of the Industrial Revolution.
Reagan's two terms saw explosive growth in the computer and software industry.
If you're suggesting that Reagan should have tried protectionism, I suggest it is about as effective as the sanctions put on Russia & Iran to boost their economies.
I’m actually a big fan of Ricardo and free trade. Protectionism is not the only (and a destructive way) to address the dislocation of these kinds of transitions. But the USA of the 80s and 90s took then opposite path.
Reagan's two terms saw explosive growth in the computer and software industry.
If you're suggesting that Reagan should have tried protectionism, I suggest it is about as effective as the sanctions put on Russia & Iran to boost their economies.