That could be one interpretation, but in my opinion, many readers neglect the fact that during the most powerful parts of Hawkwing's reign, Aes Sedai served as governors, regional advisors and dignitaries. Aftey Ishamael damaged Hawkwing's relations with the White Tower, assisted by Bonwhin's petty mistakes and mismanagement, the Empire quickly fell into a decline.

I would point out, on the other hand, that the fact that Deane Aryman came close to achieving what she did so soon after the Tower's lowest point shows how much potential the White Tower possesses for doing good. It is clear, for example, that if Rashima Kerenmosa did not lead the forces of Light, the Trolloc Wars would have swept away all the human civilizations well before Artur Hawkwing had a chance to come to power.

I think blaming the White Tower for "holding civilization back" is ridiculous, in that the rate of technological achievement and cultural development has less to do with Aes Sedai intervention and more to do with the capacity for non-channelers to use times of peace to develop new survival methods. The White Tower, for example, did not dissuade or promote the inventions coming from Rand al'Thor's schools - those developments and achievements are actually outside of the White Tower's broader purview, which is that of a moderating influence in society.

Basically, don't blame the White Tower for the lack of research and development, blame the chaotic nature of military and political conflict, which the White Tower did many things to minimize.

Ironically, I think too much Aes Sedai involvement, such as in the Age of Legends, weakens overall technological achievement and cultural development - as soon as a schism happened in the Hall of Servants during that Age, society quickly began to fall apart as Aes Sedai held too much power and influence in too many spheres. The White Tower, on the other hand, was developed as a stopgap measure to PREVENT the deterioration of society - it was formed out of a need to consolidate the resources of the female Aes Sedai so that more would not be lost, so it is not a surprise that so little forward development occurred within the Tower.