WSNers, fellowtravelers & lurkers,
A quick comment on the overall discussion. I think this has been one of
the better ones we have had.
Bruce McFarling raises and interesting point about geography, far end of
landmass, shorter ocean etc. Many geographers had noted these points,
but not often in the systemic context. Sanderson's discussion of Japan
raises the same locational advantages, although I would have stressed
them more [a quibble]. However, there is/was a serious European/PWA
advantage found in few other places: A highly variegated geography,
dissected by mountains, and navigable rivers. This underpins the
political diversity of PWA, which fosters the competition there.
What I think the larger systemic context does, among other things, and
the despite the differences about many of us have, is help us better
understand what is DIFFERENT [exceptional (!?!)] about PWA, and what is
similar. One of the similarities is the peripheral/semiperipheral
position in a larger system. This is a frequent hotbed of innovation
[Chris has a few papers on this, and large chapter in Rise & Demise].
Someone raised the question did not many things originate in Europe.
Clearly the answer is yes. The point as I see it, though, is that the
larger system is not a full account/explantion of those changes emanating
from PWA, but rather an explanation why that was a particularly apt location.
What we need here is multiple levels of theories:
one that explains why periphery, or better semiperiphery is a likely
source of innovation; then a more localized theory that explains why
innovations occur in some SPs and not others.
The answer will found, I argue, in the INTERACTION of local factors
(geog, maybe even local ideologies) with EXTERNAL context.
'nuff for now
tom hall