The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2019

Sustainable Competitive
Table of
Contents
7.1 Requirements for Sustainable Competitiveness
Sustain able competitive economies/nation-states are characterised by high
efficiency – i.e. systems and policies that enable and foster efficiency. We need
efficient systems of governance, free of any religious, political or special interest
views
Sustainable governance
• Efficient governance systems that have built-in guarantees against
authorism with clear assigned and shared responsibilities
• Direct democracy (citizens can not only elect politicians, but also vote
on legislation and policies)
• Efficient legal framework and judicial system that is available and equal
for and to all
• Financial markets that serve the real economy, not vice-versa
• Simple tax regime that taxes all forms of income equally. Public services,
including health, education and infrastructure, are financed through
progressive income taxes
• Harmonised tax rates across regions and countries
• Efficient and well-maintained transport infrastructure, and other public
infrastructure (health, education, recreation)
• Corruption prevention
• Wise allocation of state resources, balancing social, environmental and
economic
interests
Innovation
• Equal quality education for all, constantly adjusted to changing
requirements, including vocational training
• A national/regional economic development strategy/vision supported
by government policies, co-ordination, and incentives
• An environment that supports and rewards investment in R&D
• Curbing the power of monopoly-like entities
Social cohesion
• Universal public health services for all, with additional private health
services beyond the basics
• Respected law enforcement deeply integrated in local communities and
related services to curb crime
• Treatment of diseases as diseases, not as crimes (e.g. drug addiction)
• Equal opportunities for all genders, races and minority groups
• New models of employment and public participation in public services in
light of increasing automatization (robotics and artificial intelligence)
Resource intensity
• Introducing sustainable balance-sheets for all economic activities
(integration of externalities): polluter pays principle for all substances and
activities. Cost to the environment and/or society are factored into the
cost of all products and services
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