Book Forum 

# *Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World*

Published By Cato Institute • 2023 

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Date and Time 

October 2, 2023 4 - 5 PM EDT 

Location 

F.A. Hayek Auditorium, Cato Institute 

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##### Featuring 

[![Chelsea Follett](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-01/Chelsea%20Follett.jpg?itok=t0sPC8WK)](/people/chelsea-follett) 

[Chelsea Follett](/people/chelsea-follett)

Research Fellow, Human​Progress​.org, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/chellivia) [ 

](mailto:cfollett@cato.org) 

![Jack Goldstone](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-07/goldstone-cropped.jpg?itok=JJXAFF15) 

Jack A. Goldstone 

Virginia E. and John T. Hazel, Jr. Chair Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University, and Global Fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

[ 

](https://twitter.com/jgoldsto) 

[![marian-tupy-crop-temp.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2022-08/marian-tupy-crop-temp.jpg?itok=zdX_3JzR)](/people/marian-l-tupy) 

[Marian L. Tupy](/people/marian-l-tupy)

Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

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](https://x.com/Marian_L_Tupy) [ 

](mailto:mtupy@cato.org) 

There is no question that certain places, at certain times in history, have contributed disproportionately toward making the world a better place. In this book forum, Chelsea Follett will discuss her debut book that tells the story of 40 of those places, ranging in diversity from ancient Athens to Song-era Hangzhou to post–World War II New York. She will note some common themes that have emerged, including that most cities reach their creative peak during periods of peace, tend to be highly populated, and thrive during times of social, intellectual, and economic freedom, as well as openness to intercultural exchange. Noting that change is a constant, but progress is not, she suggests in her book that studying the past can teach us about fostering innovation in the present. Jack Goldstone will provide insights into the historical causes of progress and prosperity.

**Reception to follow.**

![Centers of Progress cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2023-07/center-of-progress-cover-long.jpeg?itok=Ik37CjY8) 

##### Featured Book 

### *[Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World](https://www.amazon.com/Centers-Progress-Cities-Changed-World/dp/1952223652/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11YAUYGPAU2BI&tag=catoinstitute-20)*

In *Centers of Progress: 40 Cities that Changed the World*, Chelsea Follett examines a diverse group of cities, ranging from ancient Athens to Song-era Hangzhou. But some common themes stand out: most cities reach their creative peak during periods of peace; most centers of progress also thrive during times of social, intellectual, and economic freedom, as well as openness to intercultural exchange and trade; and centers of progress tend to be highly populated. Because, in every city, it is ultimately the people who live there who drive progress forward―if given the freedom to do so.

[Purchase Book](https://www.amazon.com/Centers-Progress-Cities-Changed-World/dp/1952223652/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11YAUYGPAU2BI&tag=catoinstitute-20) 

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