timelets

It is necessary to abandon the concept, found in Plato, that in order to discuss correctly about any thing, one must first know its true nature. The value that goods have on the market is a fact; we can look for its laws without knowing from where that fact originates. It goes without saying that if someone is able to connect that fact to another, more general fact, that will be all the better for our science [Political Economy].

-- Wilfred Pareto. Considerations on the Fundamental Principles of Pure Political Economy.

Two breakthrough concepts — proof (Ancient Greeks) and free markets (North European Enlightenment) — were successfully absorbed and adapted by Asian powers in the late 20th century. The West needs to come up with another breakthrough to stay competitive in the 21st and beyond.