The Case for Great Universities (but what about the others?)

From Richard Florida comes this interesting analysis of the value of great universities.

The Extraordinary Value of Great Universities - Jobs & Economy - The Atlantic Cities

The more and the higher quality a nation’s universities, the more innovative and economically competitive it is, and the more open, egalitarian and happier it is as well. The university remains a central hub institution of the knowledge economy, playing key roles in technology, talent and tolerance. Despite their rapid economic growth and predictions of further economic ascendance, the BRICs are particularly challenged on this score. On this critical front at least, prognostications of American decline are surely overblown.

The United States has daunting economic and political problems to contend with, but its huge edge in world class universities lends it a considerable advantage in attracting the world’s top talent and generating cutting-edge innovation well into the future.