
Civilization The West and the Rest
by Niall Ferguson
What's it about?
Niall Ferguson's "Civilization: The West and the Rest" examines the historical ascendancy of Western civilization over the past five centuries, proposing that six key "killer applications" – competition, science, property rights, medicine, consumption, and the work ethic – propelled its dominance. The book explores the development and impact of these factors, contrasting the West with other global powers like China and the Ottoman Empire. Ferguson analyzes pivotal historical moments and societal shifts, including the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the rise of the United States, to understand the dynamics of Western power. Ultimately, the work questions whether this dominance is nearing its end in the face of rising Eastern powers and internal challenges within the West itself
About the author
Niall Ferguson is a renowned historian specializing in science history. Their work has influenced generations of scholars and readers.
Chapter 1
Competition
In Chapter One of Civilization: The West and the Rest, titled "Competition," Niall Ferguson explores the initial divergence between Western and Eastern civilizations around the year 1500, focusing on the role of competition as a key driver of Western ascendancy.