The West and the Rest

In this article the argument is made that for the past several decades economic inequality and global power has been shifting from west dominated to a more level playing field. What economic historian Naill Ferguson refers to as "killer apps" have influenced the western world and are now at play on much of the rest of the globe. South Africa is largely the focus in viewing how the six factors have played out in regards to a closing gap with the west. The six factors he speaks of are:

1. Competition.
2. Scientific revolution.
3. Property rights.
4. Modern Medicine. .
5. Consumer society.
6. Work ethic.

The article also (briefly) looks at how education might play in as a link between these 6 factors (though not consituting a "killer app" of its own).

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page295043?oid=561861&sn=2009+Detail