Lehenaldiko mendeetan zehar, Mendebaldeko kulturak oso onak izan dira haientzako oparotasuna sortzen. Niall Ferguson historialariak galdetzen du: Zergatik Mendebaldarrak eta ez gainontzekoak?. Berak dozena-erdi ideia nagusi, Mendebaldeko kulturan sortuak, iradokitzen ditu -- 6 erabilera hiltzaileak -- aberastasuna, orekatasuna eta berrikuntza sustatu dituztenak. Eta mende berri honetan, dio, erabilera horiek denon eskuetan daude.

Niall Ferguson: oparotasunaren 6 erabilera hiltzaileak

The rapid rise of Western wealth and dominance since 1800 hinged on six key societal 'killer apps'—from competition to modern medicine—that fostered innovation, health, and economic growth. By the 1970s, Western nations, though just 19 percent of the global population, commanded two-thirds of the world's wealth. These advantages are no longer exclusive, as places like Shanghai now top global math rankings and East Asian countries lead in patent filings. The rest of the world is adopting and adapting the same institutional tools, closing the gap faster than ever before.