The Core Theory of Useful Knowledge
Understand why some nations and organizations thrive while others stagnate—through the lens of Nobel Prize-winning economic theory.
Drawing on Joel Mokyr's Nobel Prize-winning research, this guide explains how two types of knowledge—propositional ("knowing why") and prescriptive ("knowing how")—create the feedback loops that drive sustained innovation and economic growth.
You'll learn why the Industrial Revolution wasn't just about clever inventions, but a fundamental transformation in how societies create, share, and apply knowledge. The same principles that enabled 18th-century breakthroughs now explain why Silicon Valley succeeds, why some nations remain trapped in middle-income status, and how to build innovation ecosystems.
Includes practical frameworks for applying these insights to modern challenges in AI, biotechnology, and organizational design—with actionable guidance for policymakers and business leaders.
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