Society Needs THESE Two Things in Order to be Successful
History has shown that there are only two things a society needs in order to be successful. The first is the ability to provide a good education to most people that teaches them skills and civility so they can be productive. In other words, the development of human capital. From the start, this teaching typically comes from parents and teachers who instill good values and principles to be productive with others.
The second is an environment that gives people the resources so that they can be productive. At its best, that environment provides financial capital that comes from investors, banks, and capital markets to invest in those who are capable of being productive. This environment must be a civil place to live, work, and raise one's families. Ideally, one in which there are many exciting people doing many exciting things, so that it is a creatively stimulating environment.
In other words, having the right people in the right environment that supports productive creativity throughout the life cycle is what it takes.