Niall Ferguson (2011 Event)

Are we living through the dying embers of Western ascendancy? For
Scottish historian and broadcaster Niall Ferguson, the ‘killer
applications’ test is the best way to measure our status with the
rest of the world. So, how are we doing when it comes to science,
democracy, medicine, consumerism and the work ethic? Not so well,
he reckons. Civilization takes us on an extraordinary journey
from Nanjing to Namibia, for a story of sailboats, missiles,
vaccines, blue jeans and Chinese bibles. Niall Ferguson explains
all to Iain Macwhirter in this hour-long event, recorded live at
the Edinburgh International Book Festival.