Successful companies have long acknowledged the parallels between natural selection in ecosystems and competitive successes in free markets - in no small part because their stakeholders have enjoyed such happy outcomes. In the west, however, that may be about to change.

Like European enterprises in the 19th century, US companies have enjoyed "home field advantage" throughout the 20th century. They dwelt in the most vibrant economy, drew upon the most mobile and best-educated workforce, enjoyed the most plentiful sources of capital and sold in the most attractive market for goods and services. If a company wanted to be significant, it had to win in the US market - and they were there first.