: A combination of institutional frameworks and cultural values (often linked to the Protestant work ethic) provided the human capital necessary for sustained development. Current Status and Potential Decline
: The political and economic fragmentation of Europe fostered a competitive environment between and within states, driving innovation. Civilization The West & the Rest
In his book and documentary series Civilization: The West and the Rest , historian Niall Ferguson identifies six "killer applications" that enabled Western civilization to achieve global dominance starting in the 1500s. The Six "Killer Apps" of Western Civilization : A combination of institutional frameworks and cultural