Labour-Based Development

The data attest to remarkable social improvement in the world, but the gaps between the rich countries and the others are still huge, and conditions are worsening for the poorer countries. Today three models of capitalism prevail. The European model upholds human rights, but it remains based on neo-colonialism. The Chinese model promotes development in the ex-colonies, but continues to plunder their resources, and above all it is no friend of democracy—its paternalism seems incompatible with the culture of the middle class. The populist antidemocratic model, on the other hand, is a product of neoliberalism. It is up to the Europeans, now, to protect labour and employment, embark on large-scale investment to restore the environment and help the poor and emerging countries on the way to development.