Civilization

1. Western civilization's dominance stemmed from six key innovations

To use the language of today's computerized, synchronized world, these were the six killer applications – the killer apps – that allowed a minority of mankind originating on the western edge of Eurasia to dominate the world for the better part of 500 years.

Six killer apps. The author identifies six crucial innovations that allowed Western civilization to achieve global dominance:

1. Competition
2. Science
3. Property rights
4. Medicine
5. Consumer society
6. Work ethic

These innovations provided Western nations with significant advantages in economic, technological, and social development. They enabled the West to outpace other civilizations in areas such as exploration, industrialization, and imperial expansion. The interplay of these "apps" created a self-reinforcing cycle of progress that propelled Western civilization to global preeminence for nearly half a millennium.

2. Competition drove European exploration and global expansion

For Europeans, sailing round Africa was not about exacting symbolic tribute for some high and mighty potentate back home. It was about getting ahead of their rivals, both economically and politically. If da Gama succeeded, then Lisbon trumped Venice. Maritime exploration, in short, was fifteenth-century Europe's space race. Or, rather, its spice race.

Competitive exploration. The fragmented political landscape of Europe fostered intense competition between states, driving exploration and innovation. This competition manifested in several ways:

• Rivalry for trade routes and resources
• Race for technological advancements in navigation and shipbuilding
• Competition for colonial territories and economic influence

The competitive spirit extended beyond states to include private enterprises, leading to innovations in areas such as:

• Joint-stock companies
• Banking and financial instruments
• Naval technology

This environment of constant competition contrasted sharply with more centralized empires like China, allowing Europe to rapidly advance its global reach and influence.

3. Scientific revolution propelled Western technological superiority

What one historian has called 'the end of civilization' came within the span of a single generation.

Scientific advancement. The Scientific Revolution in Europe marked a radical shift in how knowledge was acquired and applied, leading to rapid technological progress:

• Empirical method replaced reliance on ancient authorities
• Mathematics became the language of scientific inquiry
• Practical applications of scientific discoveries accelerated

Key developments included:

• Printing press (spreading knowledge rapidly)
• Telescopes and microscopes (expanding observable universe)
• Steam engine (powering the Industrial Revolution)

This scientific approach, combined with Europe's competitive environment, created a self-reinforcing cycle of innovation that other civilizations struggled to match.

4. Property rights and rule of law fostered economic growth

The great and chief end therefore, of Men's uniting into Commonwealths … is the preservation of their Property.

Legal foundations. The development of strong property rights and rule of law in Western societies created a stable environment for economic growth:

• Clear property rights incentivized investment and innovation
• Rule of law provided predictability for business transactions
• Representative government protected individual rights

These institutions were particularly well-developed in Britain and its colonies, contributing to their economic success. Key features included:

• Common law tradition
• Limited government power
• Protection of minority shareholders

The contrast with other systems, such as the more arbitrary rule in many Eastern empires, helped explain divergent economic outcomes.

5. Western medicine dramatically improved life expectancy globally

By 1945 Europe lay exhausted from an orgy of violence – including shocking sexual violence in the form of mass rape – unlike anything seen since the time of Timur.

Medical revolution. Western advances in medicine and public health led to dramatic improvements in life expectancy and quality of life:

• Germ theory revolutionized understanding of disease
• Vaccines and antibiotics conquered many deadly illnesses
• Public health measures improved sanitation and hygiene

Key developments included:

• Smallpox vaccination
• Anesthesia
• X-rays and other diagnostic tools

These medical advances not only benefited Western societies but were also exported to colonies and other parts of the world, contributing to global population growth and improved living standards.

6. Consumer society fueled industrial growth and cultural influence

Blue jeans are cheap to make, easy to clean, hard to ruin and comfortable to wear. But then so are workmen's overalls of the sort that used to be worn in Britain (most famously by Churchill during the war), as are dungarees, named after cloth from Dongri in India. Why was it that Californian jeans – which were also issued to convicts in many state penitentiaries – came to dominate the world of fashion?

Consumerism's power. The development of mass consumer societies in the West drove economic growth and cultural influence:

• Mass production techniques lowered costs and increased availability of goods
• Marketing and advertising created demand for new products
• Consumer culture became a powerful tool of soft power globally

Iconic products like blue jeans symbolized Western values and lifestyle:

• Comfort and practicality
• Youth culture and rebellion
• American cultural dominance

The appeal of Western consumer goods often outpaced formal political or economic influence, shaping global culture and aspirations.

7. Protestant work ethic initially powered Western economic success

The capitalist 'calling' was, in other words, religious in origin: 'To attain … self-confidence [in one's membership of the Elect] intense worldly activity is recommended … [Thus] Christian asceticism … strode into the market-place of life.'

Religious motivation. The Protestant work ethic, particularly in its Calvinist form, provided a powerful cultural foundation for economic development:

• Hard work and thrift were seen as religious virtues
• Worldly success was interpreted as a sign of divine favor
• Reinvestment of profits was encouraged over conspicuous consumption

This ethic contributed to:

• Higher savings rates
• Greater investment in education and skills
• Development of financial institutions

While not the sole factor in Western economic success, the Protestant work ethic helped create a cultural environment conducive to capitalism and industrialization.

8. Challenges to Western dominance emerge in the modern era

If that sounds familiar, it should. As we have seen, those used to be among the key foundations of Western civilization. Yet in recent years we in the West have seemed to lose our faith in them.

Shifting balance. In recent decades, challenges to Western dominance have emerged from multiple sources:

• Rise of Asian economies, particularly China
• Relative decline of Western economic and demographic power
• Internal challenges to Western values and institutions

Key areas of concern include:

• Declining faith in traditional Western institutions
• Environmental challenges and resource constraints
• Rise of alternative economic and political models

These challenges raise questions about the future of Western dominance and the potential for a more multipolar world order. The adaptability of Western institutions and values to these new realities will likely determine their continued relevance and influence.

Last updated: January 23, 2025