What Goliath Can Learn From David

by R. James Breiding

America is the biggest, the strongest, the best! That is our national mantra. To say otherwise is unpatriotic. It follows then that the United States must have the world's happiest, healthiest and best educated citizens, right?

Nope, not right at all.

For far too long we have been preoccupied with size rather than excellence. Turns out small nations like Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Singapore routinely beat large nations in every category from health to happiness. Why is this so? And what can we - the biggest and grandest - learn from them?

What Goliath Can Learn From David is a whistle-stop tour of 11 small, experimental nations, which are at the forefront of tackling the world's greatest problems. Each chapter tells the story of a different nation that faced an outsize challenge and was forced to adapt or chose to respond pro-actively. Lessons can be valuable when solutions arise out of these kinds of lopsided circumstances because the act of facing and surmounting overwhelming odds stress test a society and can yield great and lasting innovations. They reveal new pathways and make possible what might otherwise have seemed unthinkable. They can also be deceptive. The same qualities that appear to be sources of great weakness or vulnerability can be the source of boldness and strength. In a world of increasing polarisation, gridlock and unimaginative policy making, this may come to many as both surprising and inspiring.

America doesn't need more praiseworthy declarations, empty political promises or ranting sermons on what theoretically could be done better. Instead, look at Auckland, Tallinn or Helsinki, where proven and cost-effective blueprints already exist - waiting for America to adapt.

Now is the time to swallow our pride and learn from the best.

After all, progress has always been about emulation, and all big things start small.