Uncollapsed civilizations aren’t necessarily sources of progress. Stability can lead to stagnation. A more reliable driver of innovation towards modernity is wa

Uncollapsed civilizations aren’t necessarily sources of progress. Stability can lead to stagnation. A more reliable driver of innovation towards modernity is war. Perhaps if the ancient Roman state had had a strong persistent competitor in the form of a resilient Carthage, they would have spurred each other on to make more rapid progress.