The end of the science superpowers

摘要

From around 1735 until 1840 France led the world of science. This was the era of Antoine Lavoisier, Pierre-Simon Laplace and ClaudernBerthollet, with great advances in physics, mathematics, physiology and medicine. Centralization of the state and the education system in France, combined with a robust economy, made for a renowned science system. But ultimately, the centralized system led to rigidity and decline in the quality of science.