: Representative government and the protection of private property—distinct from autocratic rule—underpinned economic stability and the rise of corporations.
: A combination of institutional frameworks and cultural values (often linked to the Protestant work ethic) provided the human capital necessary for sustained development. Current Status and Potential Decline Civilization The West & the Rest
Ferguson argues that the West's era of predominance may be ending: : Representative government and the protection of private
: He suggests the West is losing faith in its own heritage and institutions, potentially leading to a sudden demise rather than a slow transition. Civilization The West & the Rest