> factor for innovation That's not so obvious, at least in fields not directly related to warfarce e.g. Byzantine Empire was probably the most innovative, prog

> factor for innovation That's not so obvious, at least in fields not directly related to warfarce e.g. Byzantine Empire was probably the most innovative, progressive and developed state in Europe (if not the world by ~1000 AD) constant endless warfare turned it into an empty shells by the 1400s. Extreme instability, violence etc. rarely has a positive effect. Relatively peaceful primary economic competition (perhaps with some limited warfare) between multiple states might lead to very positive outcomes, though.