Despite what we often hear, the world is getting better. On a global scale, there’s less poverty, less income inequality, and people have more opportunity than ever before. Yet there’s also reason for concern. Since the early 2000s productivity growth has slowed in many wealthier countries which means living standards aren’t improving as fast as they once did. Innovation—creating new products and services or improving old ones—is a key driver of productivity growth and thus essential for continued prosperity. Federal, state, and local governments all have a role to play in fostering more innovation.
Image: In this Thursday, July 11, 2019, photograph, United States Department of Agriculture intern Alex Olsen, left, and engineering technician Kevin Yemoto work to set up a drone for flight over a research farm. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) ASSOCIATED PRESS
