The Beginning of Knowledge (repost)

ICMI (or IMUK) was founded in 1908 and initiated the establishment of national subcommissions to launch national activities in response to the IMUK agenda and to promote the reform proposals within each member country.While ICMI’s activities were thoroughly studied, the activities of the national subcommissions are studied only very marginally.

Motivated by the importance of the Campbell, Baker, Hausdorff, Dynkin Theorem in many different branches of Mathematics and Physics (Lie group-Lie algebra theory, linear PDEs, Quantum and Statistical Mechanics, Numerical Analysis, Theoretical Physics, Control Theory, sub-Riemannian Geometry)

Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.