The story of Western ascendancy demonstrates how the West has competition to thank for its dominance. Could a culture/society thrive without competition as its underlying dynamic? Discuss.
“China’s failure to exploit its advantages left the path of overseas expansion wide open for the West. When the new emperor called home Zheng-he’s mighty navy, he virtually guaranteed that it would be the West’s version of civilization that would sweep the globe.” — Niall Ferguson
Timeline: China and the West 1368-1842
What are the killer apps?
