Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Summary
Contents
Figures and Tables
Chapter One: The Sources of National Competitive Advantage
Looking for Societal Sources of Competitive Advantage
Are We Talking About “Culture”?
Defining Our Terms
Methodology for a Complex Issue: Demonstrated Causal Associations
Primary Findings
The Basis for a National Competitive Renaissance
Chapter Two: Factors Other Than Societal Qualities That Determine Competitive Position
Structural Factors
Exogenous Factors, Mechanisms, and Events
Other National Qualities
Nonsocietal Sources of Advantage
A Complex Mosaic
Chapter Three: National Ambition and Will
Defining the Characteristic
The Theoretical Case for the Competitive Advantage of National Ambition and Will
National Ambition and Will and Competitive Outcomes: Evidence from Cases
Tying National Ambition and Will to Competitive Outcomes: Other Evidence
The Balance: Avoiding Overreach
Chapter Four: Unified National Identity
Defining the Characteristic
The Theoretical Case for the Competitive Value of National Identity
Collective Identity and Competitive Outcomes: Evidence from Cases
Collective Identity and Competitive Outcomes: General Evidence
The Basis for Unified Identity: A Public-Spirited Elite
The Balance: The Risks of Excessive National Identification
Chapter Five: Shared Opportunity
Defining the Characteristic
The Theoretical Case Linking Shared Opportunity and Competitive Advantage
Tying Shared Opportunity to Competitive Outcomes: Evidence from Cases
Empirical Evidence: Research on Shared Opportunity and Competitive Standing
The Competitive Risks of an Absence of Opportunity
The Balance: Competitive Merit and Psychological Resilience
Chapter Six: An Active State
Defining the Characteristic
The Active State and Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Cases
Other Evidence: General Support for the Importance of an Active State
The Balance: Avoiding Overbearing Interference
Chapter Seven: Effective Institutions
Defining the Characteristic
The Theoretical Case for the Competitive Advantage of Strong and Effective Institutions
Institutions and Competitive Outcomes: General Evidence
Effective Institutions and Competitive Outcomes: Evidence from Cases
The Balance: The Risk of Constraining Bureaucracy
Chapter Eight: A Learning and Adapting Society
Defining the Characteristic
The Theoretical Case for Competitive Advantage: A Learning and Adapting Society
A Learning and Adapting Society and Competitive Outcomes: Evidence from Cases
National Adaptation and Creativity
Orthodoxy: The Enemy of Learning and Adapting
Learning and Adapting: General Evidence
The Balance: The Need for a Grounding Tradition
Chapter Nine: Competitive Diversity and Pluralism
Defining the Characteristic
The Theoretical Case for Competitive Diversity and Pluralism
Diversity and Pluralism: Evidence from Cases
Diversity and Pluralism: General Evidence
The Balance: Avoiding Societal Instability
Chapter Ten: Assessing U.S. Standing in the Characteristics
Characteristic 1: National Ambition and Will
Characteristic 2: Unified National Identity
Characteristic 3: Shared Opportunity
Characteristic 4: An Active State
Characteristic 5: Effective Institutions
Characteristic 6: A Learning and Adapting Society
Characteristic 7: Competitive Diversity and Pluralism
Other Competitive Influences: Factors Other Than Societal Characteristics
Findings and Conclusions
Chapter Eleven: Findings and Implications
The Synergy of National Dynamism
Transient Power Versus Sustainable Competitive Vibrancy
A Framework for Understanding Trends in World Politics
The Potential for an American Competitive Renaissance
A. Methodology
B. Defining Concepts
Abbreviations
Bibliography
Back Cover