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That could equally be a consequence of technological and scientific development than any particular economic structure.

But if everyone has access to the same scientific developments, then why the disparity in standards of living around the world?

You might chalk it up to power structures, but that couldn’t explain the disparity in standard of living between the Soviet Union and Western Europe.

What motivates technological and scientific development?

That is a problem that has not been thoroughly explored. What has been motivational historically, and what is necessary to motivate in the future, do not have to be the same.

And even looking at history, the motivations of scientific development seems quite varied. War has been a key promoter of many fields of science, which has in turn lifted may people out of poverty. So we should have more world wars?

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