This is true. In order to remain at the top position (in anything) one has to constantly work hard and use his/her brains.
And the day she/he quits using the brain, quits innovating to face the ever-increasing and ever-changing world, he/she will lose the top position.
Well. the reverse logic of your point #1 is not ALWAYS true.
You can see that there are people all around the world who have always been helpless. They have never contributed scientifically, and never showed any strength even at the low level, let alone at the top of the world.
Case in point.
Arab-Islamic heartland aka Makkah and Madina have NOT produced anything innovative or scientifically significant in the last 1200 years (if not more).
Native Indians in the USA have never ever ruled large tracts of land.
Many parts of Africa have been dark for 10s of 1000s of years without ever coming up in a significant way.
In summary!
your point #1 is very valid
but
point #2 is totally invalid.