Similarly, popular support for democracy flourished and continues to expand, with amazing results in Eastern Europe, Southern Africa, Latin America, etc. Contrary to ideologists and intellectuals however, this is not the outcome of heroism, perfectionism, or egalitarianism. All good ideas require their own idea entrepreneurs, who must argue each case on its own merits, AND face the prospect that even the most awesome gains may eventually be offset or rolled back by changing circumstances or moods. Those of us who have been awake over these last few years, know that it's all too possible. Yet someone must maintain the supply lines and rules of reciprocity if sustenance and socialization are to continue.
Security is essential to assure the investment in productivity which make prosperity possible.
Agrarian societies turned hunters into warriors for brute-force combat. As industrialization proceeded, the hands that held tools at work could be supplied with weapons on the battlefield. The thinkers at RAND are, not unexpectedly, in the forefront of this effort. The editors are certainly correct to focus on the nature of information itself as a likely key to understanding the formulation of strategy for the new era. I don't think so.