I'm not totally convinced entrepreneurship is the right measure. Research happens in plenty of other contexts; entrepreneurship is just a vehicle that works well in a society that values a free market and rugged individualism.

But I don't have enough evidence to say that entrepreneurship is uncorrelated with improving society, so I'll just ask - anyone have recommended studies/articles/etc. arguing either for or against entrepreneurship or even research being a good measure of improvements to society / quality of life?