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The Western Model appeared highly attractive to millions of people for decades. The demise of the socialist dictatorships in the former Eastern Bloc showed the weakness of centrally planned economies and the weakness of political systems, that are based on paternalism and the lack of basic rights such as freedom and codetermination. Similar developments are seen today in the Arab world.

Nevertheless, the competition rising in emerging economies such as China, India or Brazil will change the world balance. These countries have begun to develop both remarkable production capacity and political power. The question to be discussed at this conference is: What conditions are necessary if the West is to compete successfully?