What makes a society innovative? Tracing the story of five great civilizations, fromancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, to the Middle East, Europe, the United Statesand China, this book will tell you. History offers us a model and lessons forwhat can be done right, and it shows how once mighty and innovative societiescan fall. The story here departs from pundits who believe that the Western orAmerican-style political and legal system is universally best for economicsuccess. At various times China, the Middle East and elsewhere were the greatengines of innovation; later leadership passed to Europe and the United States.As some places rose to the top of science and technology, others fell away. Andsome, like China, rose again. The lessons of history are clear. Centers of innovationlearn from and borrow ideas, practices and technologies from elsewhere. Theyadapt ideas and practices to add new value. They activate strengths of theirpopulation through education, cultural openness, and access to financialresources. They build strong institutions that pursue new knowledge and rejectorthodoxy. At a time when the world seems to be closing doors to the talentedand pulling back from global engagement, when suspicion of the foreign isrunning high, we may be losing the essential traits that make for innovation,the most important of all assets for the future of the human race.
