Ideologues invariably do that, however, when they have an ideological agenda that they are pushing. And anyone can overlook these connections in their effort to support a theory. John this sounds good. Man is a zoon politikon in the most literal sense, not only a social animal, but an animal that can be individuated only within society. But Mr. Friedman must have in mind some sophistical manipulation of the concepts involved, because his conclusions make no sense.
Every advance is initiated by some interested individual or group.
Even majority directives of parliament do not pop into existence on their own, but are initiated by one or more human beings acting on some project in which they have taken an interest. But ALL of such efforts on certain types of major projects would come to naught without the backing of a centralized government which is strong and powerful enough to do things that single individuals cannot do. John etc., etc., ad nauseum. This is the whole idea behind the existence of corporations. Columbus would never have made it out of port without the aid and support of the Spanish monarchy.