I think they're a bit overpowered and broken at the current moment, because you have to remember that all nations in the game have "Early" ideas for their first 4 slots, which are rather weak versions of an idea set with minimal bonuses. While all colonial nations start with the real full idea sets, thus making them immensely more powerful. I think that AT LEAST 3 first slots should be taken with the Early idea sets, maybe have it go from the real ones from the fourth slot, to give a slight advantage at development in New World over the Old World.