The Innovator Versus the Collective

Fundamentally history is the consequence of ideas. Every movement revolution war and era is ultimately defined and motivated by a guiding ideology. In this book we will examine the ideas that have shaped (or are shaping) government policies toward numerous industries. We will examine mature industries and newer industries. In examining mature industries we can trace the long-term consequences of government policies. We can see the cause and the effect. We can see which policies resulted in innovation and progress and which did not. In identifying the results of past policies we can predict the future consequences of today's policy debates. Virtually everyone claims to support innovation and progress. But claiming such support and advocating policies that make innovation possible are not the same thing. We cannot discern the difference merely on the basis of claims and professed intentions. We must look at the principles-the fundamental ideas-being advocated.