In Search of National Economic Success

Balancing Competition and Cooperation

Using detailed case studies with statistical analysis In Search of Economic Success assesses comparatively the `market liberal' belief in free markets, limited government and the trade-off between economic efficiency and social justice. Kenworthy argues that the key to economic success lies in combining competition with cooperation. Among advanced industrialized nations, the countries achieving the best economic performance results over the past three decades have been the most committed to combining competition and cooperation. Those faring worst rely predominantly on atomistic, individualistic competition. In the end, the comparative record strongly supports a focus on cooperation-inducing institutions.