A better World System

To Elson:
You said:
"What needs to be added to this picture, for example, are world-government
determined policies and mechanisms that distribute wealth and political
power far more evenly"
. 
In the foreseeable future there is hardly a chance for a break-through to
such a wise world government by democratic procedures or through a Marxist
revolution (also see my prior posting).
I am certainly not qualified to devise a detailed blueprint for a better
world order, but should like to call the attention of this group on what
happened in many East Asian countries formerly under colonial rule:
These countries achieved significant, sometimes astonishing improvements in
their prosperity through their own efforts. What made the difference were
hard working populations, anxious to improve the education of their
children and efficient managers. Such qualities are especially prominent
among the Chinese, but the much more easygoing Southeast Asians did equally
well.
To help the poorer African and Latin-American countries to catch up, both
Capitalist and Socialist better developed countries should help them to set
up more and highly improved education facilities. Transfer of funds, even
on a massive scales, for other purposes is often wasted or
counter-productive. 

On more general terms, within the framework of a World Confederation of
Independent States, individual countries should therefore strive mightily
to achieve some progress within their borders in order to have a louder
voice in a reformed United Nations. Thus they would also qualify for more
help from this institution and from more advanced or luckier countries. 

This is hardly a program for achieving an earthly paradise overnight, but
unlike other proposals it is something where almost everybody could have a
chance to participate.

You also said: 
"This ought to include, for example, the conversion of production for
profit enterprises to democratically run non-profits"
This sounds like a very convincing idea, but unfortunately there are few
examples for such ventures, that were really successful. But people who
believe in them could (and certainly should) start organizing some, both in
Capitalist or Socialist countries.

Greetings               Paul Riesz