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Citation |
Getz T. History Compass 2007; 5(3): 1050-1061. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Global history is often viewed as a competitive battleground in which civilizations, nations, or peoples repeatedly clash over resources or ideology. Correspondingly, victory in the global arena is often seen as belonging to the most inventive or innovative societies. Yet a more complex look at innovation reveals that it is often the result of a gradual and widely collaborative process, often involving the efforts or contributions of citizens of several states or societies. This article suggests that the myths surrounding invention and the reification of innovation as a cultural trait have distracted social scientists and policy makers from recognizing the significance of imported technologies, ideas, strategies, and products in helping societies overcome a wide range of challenges. It illustrates this contention with evidence from several historical episodes that suggest that successful societies are not only open to innovation from among their own populace, but also to contributions from abroad. |