Look at the high point of humanity, post-Breaking. Artur Hawkwing's empire. He united all the nations under one fair, just and enlightened rule, presided over an era of peace, and even squelched the Trollocs' millenial irruption with a single battle (in those days the Blightborder was well north of Malkier's nothern border, but the battlefield was well south of modern Shienar - that had to be a serious invasion to make it so far past the defenses of the Blightborder in the time the BWB calls the height of the military arts) but the Aes Sedai had to play second fiddle to him, and they could have any of that, so they picked a fight. Now, even a thousand years later, Moiraine hastily reassures the Amyrlin Seat that none of her pet ta'veren has any intention of being another Hawkwing, like he's some sort of terrorist or something! "Don't worry Siuan! I promise you, none of them have any dreams of uniting humanity in a benevolent, peaceful and just nation-state!"
The Aes Sedai, while pretending that they're all about the good of humanity, are just another special interest group, looking out for themselves first and the greater good second. By their own actions, the White Tower has tacitly admitted fault in their dealings with Hawkwing, but because he had the temerity to refuse to be the victim of one of the worst villains in Tower history, the Aes Sedai spit on his memory. "Cet animal est trés mechant: Quand on I'attaque, il se defend," seems to be their attitude.

Ever since that day, and from the way they talk about him, one can fairly infer that they squashed down any sort of universal advances or transcendant leaders who rose above the common herd. They probably have done their best to stop any sort of development outside their experience or understanding, hence the technological boom that has been taking place in the books as soon as their backs are turned, or at least the appearance of a figure capable of protecting inventors from Aes Sedai who might come down on them like a house of bricks lest their inventions lead to ways of circumventing Aes Sedai advantages.