This open access book aims to show which factors have been decisive in the rise of successful
countries. Never before have so many people been so well off. However prosperity is not a law
of nature it has to be worked for. A liberal economy stands at the forefront of this success -
not as a political system but as a set of economic rules promoting competition which in turn
leads to innovation research and enormous productivity. Sustainable prosperity is built on a
foundation of freedom equal opportunity and a functioning government. This requires a stable
democracy that cannot be defeated by an autocrat. Autocrats claim that illiberalism is more
efficient an assertion that justifies their own power. Although autocrats can efficiently
guide the first steps out of poverty once a certain level of prosperity has been achieved
people begin to demand a sense of well-being - freedom and codetermination. Only when this is
possible will they feel comfortable and progress will continue. Respect for human rights is
crucial. The rules of the free market do not lean to either the right or left politically.
Liberalism and the welfare state are not mutually exclusive. The conflict concerns the amount
of government intervention. Should there be more or less? As a lawyer entrepreneur and board
member with over 40 years of experience in this field of conflict the author clearly describes
the conditions necessary for a country to maintain its position at the top.
