Lipton Matthews

No one doubts that the US is a politically and culturally divided nation. Contrary to much of public opinion, politicians like Donald Trump did not cause the crisis. Instead, as Lawrence Mead writes, they are a symptom of the government's assault on our culture.

Many Americans are convinced that only government can provide useful science since government is supposed to be “neutral,” not corrupted by profit seeking. However, politics corrupts science research more than anything else.

By honoring Mokyr, Aghion, and Howitt, the Nobel Committee has recognized that the future of growth depends on innovation, and that innovation begins with an idea. Ideas drive progress, and progress defines civilization.