Competition and cooperation between Japan, Europe and USA is the key issue of this book - both at government and business levels. Both short-term and long-termin competitive cooperation between Western and Japanese firms and institutions can be fruitful. Cooperation however, provides no easy solutions to problems which Western economies have been unable to solve on their own. Governments as well as companies are often unprepared for cooperation with Japan within the framework of larger-scale projects. On theother hand, Japan itself still lacks the leadership capacities to match its present economic and technological dominance. Thus the Japanese strategyfor a Number Two role in cooperation with the USA and the EC is described. The discussion focuses on the implications of US/Japanese relations for Europe. It further highlights future relations between the US and Japan in the field of technology, and also deals with the EC/Japan context.

Access to science and technology worldwide is achieved by active participation in open international scientific research, as well as through technological capability that is decisive in catching up with world developments in science and technology. In other words, it is the "national system of innovation" which determines a country's assimilation capacity. The universities, research institutions, the technological infrastructure, industrial training schemes, information networks and technical institutions in general provide the foundation for a solid, steady development. Therefore policies directed toward strengthening the national system of innovation are essential for a catching-up strategy. But even more important is the presence of skilled and experienced people with the necessary connections to the scientific and technological infrastructure of the world at large. this applies to China in particular. Whether or not the technological potential will be developed, depends on the technological and industrial strategies promoted by the Chinese leadership. In addition, the costs and benefits of technological development are affected by the prevalent evolutionary stage of a country's political framework and fiscal regime. There must be a strong coordination between overall economic policies and technology policy. A sucessful management of technology is only possible through a "technological package" including management, financial and marketing skills.

Mit dem Ende der Herrschaftsblocke verschwand auch die Dritte Welt, und die entstandene polyzentrische Konstellation gab den Weg fur einen zweiten Schub der Globalisierung frei. Parallel zu den westlichen Machtzentren und ihren Akteuren traten zunehmend asiatische und mittelostliche Akteure auf, die nun als Konkurrenten wie als Partner gleichermassen agieren. Dabei hangt die Fahigkeit, die Probleme der Weltgesellschaft und Weltwirtschaft zu losen, nicht nur von der Selbstorganisation ab, sondern auch von dem Willen zur Kooperation untereinander. Es gilt also, das Vernetzungspotential der vielfaltigen Akteure auszuschopfen.
Die Beitrage in diesem Band untersuchen unter politischer, wirtschaftlicher und christlich-ethischer Perspektive sowie europaischer und afrikanischer Sicht den vor diesem Hintergrund veranderten Begriff von Entwicklung - mit Armatya Sen zu verstehen als die Ausweitung von Freiheit, aber auch als Forderung von Gerechtigkeit.