‘Innovation’ as an Adaptation of ‘Progress’: Revisiting the Epistemological and Historical Contexts of These Terms

Abstract

In the 1990s, historians argued the necessity to rethink the word ‘progress’, as they thought that there was a breakdown of belief in the idea of progress. Twenty years later, many countries rely on the concept of ‘innovation’ both as an instrument and as a value to be pursued by society, while the use of ‘progress’ as a socio-political ideal has faded away in most public discourses. In this regard, this paper argues that the concept of innovation is an adaptation of the idea of progress to our age. First, it examines the exact meaning of progress in previous eras and its role, which is similar to today’s concept of innovation for elite policymakers and intellectuals in the 19th and 20th centuries, with reference to European and non-European authors. Second, it examines how ‘progress’ was gradually replaced by the term ‘innovation’ to express socio-political value in socio-political discourses during the late 20th century. The concept of innovation differs from that of progress, particularly in that the former is based on discontinuity and diversity. On one hand, it obliges us to bet on abrupt and unpredictable changes as the only way to secure a better future. On the other hand, thanks to its principle of diversity, it is capable of liberating many non-Western societies from one-dimensional measures of civilisation, as West European countries and North America were once depicted as a model for everyone to follow. Despite these differences, innovation can be considered a legitimate heir of the social values from the Enlightenment, as was the case for progress in the past, especially after the decline of Marxist theory. Its remnants can be seen in some of today’s expressions related to innovation, such as social inclusion and co-creation. However, innovation has inherited another troublesome aspect of the modern notion of progress, mostly derived from the 19th century: evolution through fierce competition. We need to find methods to integrate a more ethical and social perspective in the innovation process and develop a sense of social responsibility.