Innovation for the Masses: How to Share the Benefits of the High-Tech Economy

Innovation for the Masses is a book that examines how cities and nations can foster innovation and equality. It draws on case studies of Taiwan, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland to show how innovation can be balanced toward equity, and emphasizes the active role of the state in creating frameworks to ensure that benefits are broadly shared.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: University of California Press

Innovation for the Masses is a captivating exploration of how cities and nations can cultivate innovation while promoting greater equality. While many of the world's most innovative hubs are characterized by significant disparities, with the benefits largely accruing to a select few, this book seeks to uncover valuable insights from regions that have successfully balanced innovation with equitable distribution. Economist Neil Lee draws upon compelling case studies from Taiwan, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland to illustrate how innovation can be effectively aligned with equity.

As high-tech economies grapple with polarized labor markets and political realities that exacerbate these issues, Innovation for the Masses extends its lens beyond the United States to explore alternative models of distributing a leading-edge economy. Lee emphasizes the active role of the state in establishing frameworks that ensure broad-based benefits, revealing the interconnectedness between robust policies for innovation and mutual prosperity.

In conclusion, Innovation for the Masses offers a vital window into alternative models that prioritize equity, highlighting the challenges and opportunities these models present. By drawing upon the experiences of successful countries, this book provides valuable insights for other nations seeking to foster innovation while ensuring a more inclusive and equitable distribution of its benefits.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 147 x 217 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520394889