On the official documents the gap on EU-US productivity was widened again.
EU Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI 2013)
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/6th_report/rci_2013_report_final.pdf
The Global Competitiveness Report 2013–2014 (Full Data Edition)
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf
What was done earlier non-effectively? Maybe there are some unknown ways to improve own competitiveness?
Not all regions are equally strong economically, educationally and politically. Accordingly, comparing regions using this index is perhaps debatable. I may be wrong however.
Understanding drives competitiveness. 500 or so pages of reports only point out what we already know. As free societies struggle with complacency there is an underlying push of competitiveness that grows as the rewards and punishments of success change.
If people think there is no sense in succeeding as the reward does not match the effort they will only strive to survive.
If how ever the society understands that the world is dynamic and allows for change then risk is worth taking and we move forward.
Not all regions are equally strong economically, educationally and politically. Accordingly, comparing regions using this index is perhaps debatable. I may be wrong however.
Hemanta,
You are correct. My point is that the factors you speak of are ones that become important as basic needs are taken care of in the regions and countries of those regions. Even the USA does not take care of the basic needs of all its people. Millions are hungry, Tens of thousands are homeless, and many people die every year from problems that could have been taken care of by basic health care. With problems like these in some of the most prosperous counties of the world there is little hope for progress in competitiveness making a difference.
All of it leads to resolve the bigger issues of the world but we are still a long way from civilized.
Hi Sylantyev
Excellent question, however, complicated to come up with common ground or solutions. But, I believe the specific country, if seriously is seeking evolution to the next step, has to plan (where governance is practiced and the top leaders do believe in the system), with mutual agreement of all stakeholders of the country (which is tough since many countries plan in the top and simply ask all other to implement), in order to capitalize on the specific strengths (core competencies) to improve the economy, the education, and all other factors.
Is the aforementioned possible? It is if the country decides to really upgrade itself based on strategic plans.
George you mentioned that even the US has problems in its internal policies toward its people, true, why because the US does not involve all its stakeholders (including the people) in producing sound economic policies! Actually, are scientists, educators, involved? Maybe only those who are accepted by the government standards... And this specific issue is used everywhere else.
A very intriguing question, at least for me, which will keep me scratching my head for possible answers.
Dear George,
In fact, not just different countries of a region, even different States of a country may not be of equivalent standard. In India for example, there are States that are industrially very backward, while there certain States that are industrially quite forward. If this index is applied in India, it would lead to wrong conclusions perhaps.
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