Technological Innovation and Research: The True Foundations of National Survival

Kazi Abul Monsur##

Throughout history, the rise and fall of civilizations have rarely been determined by population size, territorial expansion, or natural wealth alone. Instead, nations that invested in knowledge, scientific inquiry, and technological innovation were able to adapt, compete, and survive across centuries. In contrast, societies that failed to embrace change gradually lost their influence and sovereignty. In today’s rapidly evolving global order—shaped by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution—this historical lesson has become more relevant than ever. Examining the trajectory of the Ottoman Caliphate and the contemporary challenges faced by the Muslim world, this article argues that sustained investment in research, innovation, and technology is no longer optional, but essential for national survival and self-reliance.
From the Middle Ages onward, the Ottoman Caliphate of the proud Turkish nation occupied a significant chapter in the history of the Muslim world. From 1299 to 1924—nearly 625 years—the Ottomans continuously ruled vast territories across Asia, Africa, and Europe. During this long period, a total of 37 capable Ottoman sultans ascended the throne.

After the Abbasid Caliphate centered in Baghdad collapsed in the mid-fifteenth century, a new and powerful Islamic governance system emerged under the leadership of the Ottoman Caliphate. The nearly 1,500-year-old Christian Byzantine Empire was also defeated by the Ottoman caliphs.

At its peak, the Ottoman Empire covered more than 5.2 million square kilometers. Today, those territories are divided into 49 independent states. The primary reason behind this fragmentation can be traced to the rapid and unexpected decline of the Ottoman Caliphate in the early twentieth century.

Particularly during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when the Industrial Revolution triggered a wave of scientific and technological advancement in Europe and America, the vast Ottoman Empire largely remained confined within its outdated systems. Its failure to keep pace with industrialization and modern scientific progress significantly accelerated its downfall.

Today, despite having a Muslim population of approximately 1.89 billion and abundant natural resources, most Muslim-majority countries continue to struggle with deep political, economic, and technological challenges. Many of these countries have yet to effectively integrate into the mainstream of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, modern science, and advanced technology. As a result, the Muslim world is gradually falling behind in global competition.

Although some Middle Eastern Arab states have gained recognition as wealthy nations due to oil resources, in reality, they have become directly or indirectly dependent on dominant global powers. Sustaining a state by spending or transferring a significant portion of oil revenues for strategic reasons cannot be considered an ideal model for building a truly independent and self-reliant nation.

Intense competition is currently underway between the United States and China in artificial intelligence, robotics, aviation, medicine, and space technology. Meanwhile, we remain largely confined to being users and beneficiaries of technologies developed by others. Despite having hundreds of higher education institutions and science-based research centers across our country and the broader Muslim world, the lack of planned and sustainable investment—as well as weak collaboration between academia and industry—has prevented us from achieving the desired level of progress.

In fields such as space research, medicine, automotive manufacturing, aviation, and especially nanotechnology, there are numerous examples worldwide—particularly from the United States—from which valuable lessons can be learned. Although Europe and Russia lag behind the U.S. in several technological areas, countries like China, South Korea, and Japan now present a very different picture.

These nations are advancing at an astonishing pace, competing head-to-head with the United States. China, in particular, has transformed itself into a major global industrial hub over the past two decades through rapid industrialization and large-scale technological investment. After World War II, China began its economic journey amid widespread devastation, yet today it stands as the world’s second-largest economy.

A notable example is a leading Chinese home appliance manufacturer that, by adopting artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart factory technologies, managed to nearly triple its production capacity. According to company data, within a short period, it produced and exported millions of refrigerators of various models to the global market—clearly demonstrating the real-world impact of AI on industrial production.

Most importantly, without planned investment and a supportive ecosystem for technological innovation, research, and development, there is no viable path to engaging with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Currently, the United States alone invests approximately USD 700–720 billion annually in research and development, while China invests around USD 330–350 billion. Across Europe, total R&D spending may reach approximately USD 500 billion.

In contrast, the total investment in research and development across the entire Muslim world—including our own country—is unlikely to exceed USD 80–100 billion. For low-income and developing countries, this figure remains limited to just USD 3–5 billion, which is grossly inadequate relative to actual needs.

In conclusion, history repeatedly teaches us that population size, territory, or natural resources alone cannot ensure the survival of a nation. Science, technology, research, and innovation constitute the true foundations of national resilience. In this regard, there is no alternative to planned and sustainable investment combined with hard work.

If we fail to establish planned investment strategies, quality education, a research-friendly environment, and strong industry–university collaboration now, we will be held accountable by future generations. Therefore, the time has come to move beyond past glories and focus on building indigenous technological capabilities—so that we may establish ourselves as a stable, self-reliant, and prosperous nation prepared for the future.