The contrasting approaches in global development adopted by Western countries and China have become a prominent catalyst for friction, triggering debates over the superiority of their respective models — liberal democracies against authoritarian capitalist states.
A scenario reminiscent of the Cold War era has revived the familiar narrative of nations compelled to choose sides between the American and Soviet blocs. Trapped in the middle of this power struggle, low- and middle-income nations are confronted with the challenge of navigating a complex geopolitical landscape.
But what is the reality? Does the autocratic model deliver prosperity for the people?
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About the author
Joseph Lemoine
Joseph Lemoine is the deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center. Previously, he was a private sector specialist at the World Bank. He advised governments on policy reforms that help boost entrepreneurship and shared prosperity, primarily in Francophone Africa and the Middle East.
