Nobody has claimed that government set out deliberately to create a global internet when it funded the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s computer networking. Indeed, the internet only took off when it eventually escaped the clutches of the Defense Department and was embraced by universities and businesses. In addition, although some of the key technologies of the internet, including packet switching, originated in public institutions, others came from the private sector. The TCP/IP protocol came from Cisco, while glass fibre came from Corning.
This is a stretch now. Pure conjecture on the limited role of the government in furthering innovation. Government directed innovations at the policy level is largely ignored here. I think Ridley focuses all his efforts on innovation in technology and products and basic sciences and not as much in processes, policies, etc.
