Many have imagined that traditional Western democracy provides a unique advantage in fostering creativity. “Great advances of civilization…in architecture or painting…science or literature…have never come from centralized government,” claimed Milton Friedman. But in our rapidly changing world, many argue this is no longer the case.

Alternatives to Western democratic models—such as China—are now leading the charge in multiple creative sectors, from cutting-edge patent technologies and AI-generated art to global entertainment phenomena like The Three-Body Problem, which has helped China surpass North America’s total box office revenue. Meanwhile, Singapore—where freedom of speech and assembly are limited—was recently ranked the world’s most innovative country, with its youth exhibiting the highest levels of creative thinking.

Is the future of creativity no longer tied to freedom and liberal democracy, but instead emerging from systems of command-driven capitalism where tradition and collective wisdom shape innovation? Could Western creativity, paradoxically, be limited by its belief in free enterprise? Or might it rekindle its edge by returning to its faith in the power of the individual?

Join us this July for IAI Live as leading thinkers explore these provocative questions and more. With full debates, in-depth talks, and exclusive interviews to be announced soon, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.