Towards Collaboration, Not Conflict

The global push for innovation brings new challenges in foreign relations. It represents, in many ways, the same kind of sabre rattling and competition that has previously been the domain of armed conflict. In an innovation-based world – particularly one conceived of as a zero-sum game, where one nation’s advances mean another’s losses – there will always be a fight over being viewed as “the best” innovator so as to drive “the strongest” economy.

Instead, the Western view should keep their minds open to any lessons that can be taken from, for example the Chinese national innovation system. The National Outline shows a vision for innovation but for improving the conditions of its people.

A report written in 2013 explores the Chinese Innovation approach.

http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/programs/economic-growth/chinas-nat...

To quote partly from it:

"Despite the frequent linear model of science and technology in this Chinese analysis, this motivation for innovating – and its holistic sense of innovation as including social, ecological, and health systems as priorities – is laudable. It offers an alternative to innovation as simply nationalistic one-upmanship, a lesson that perhaps needs to be relearned by the West in recognition that innovation and new ideas have always come from around the world, and will increasingly come from counties like China, India, Brazil, and other major emerging powers.

Furthermore, China’s innovation policy offers a surprisingly open assessment of the degree to which the government is involved in innovation, a useful counterpoint to the mythologized individualism of American invention or European 'grand' collaborations. Just what kind of role government plays in driving innovation, of course, is open for debate. But that debate should be had on the basis of policy rather than anti-communism or anti-China ideology.

Finally, the National Outline offers a surprisingly humble self-assessment of the problems facing China. Trust and collaboration could be garnered by putting down the swords, admitting our own challenges, and beginning a dialogue towards learning from each other on these issues of social importance. China and its innovation system are by no means perfect, but they offer an interesting, insightful, and informative contrast to many American assumptions. Learning from Chinese innovation, instead of reacting to a perceived challenge, may yield improvements in our own innovation efforts and could even lead to a more productive bilateral relationship."

Noble words perhaps, as compeition still does stay within National borders due to the ways we deliver our innovation policies as irrespective of how we feel it is a global connected world. It still boils down to the individuals chasing and attracting the most funds, best resources and talent that consumes much and dilutes the true effect of innovation by 'bleeding off' essential funds and essential energy.

Can that be challenged and changed?

Nice to believe it can as much of the established thinking is giving way to different challenges that are disrupting much of a previous established order. Can we learn from the ones chasing and developing? I think so but I'm not caught up in the middle of the established order trying to reshape it as it clearly needs too, for innovation to have a real impact on society, our economics  for essential growth required.