14 World Leaders Meet to Discuss Ways to Level Global Playing Field

Call it the “Third Way,” the “New Middle” or even the stodgier rallying cry for “Progressive Governance” that drew President Clinton and 13 other world leaders here to ponder the planet’s outlook. Whatever the term, a manifesto emerged Saturday outlining the left-leaning governments’ visions for spreading wealth and well-being throughout the global village.

The ideological blueprint drawn up by nations as diverse in power and prosperity as the United States, South Africa and Chile proposes projects for steering the worldwide technological revolution and more equitably sharing its unfathomable riches.

From issuing drivers’ licenses over the Internet to avoiding the expense of textbooks by using CD-ROM educational materials for children in poor areas, recent advances in information and automation provide governments bold new opportunities to more effectively serve their people, the leaders proclaimed after three hours of brainstorming.

“We talked specifically about economic empowerment, about education, about closing the digital divide, about the importance of reducing income inequality as a result of globalization,” Clinton said at a news conference that concluded his three-day visit to Germany.

The proposals put some flesh on the skeletal theories of social reform that propelled center-left politicians such as Clinton, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and British Prime Minister Tony Blair into office after long periods of conservative rule.

But the leaders who came together here for the fourth and most extensive conference to address how best to spread democracy to the world’s farthest corners sought to play down notions that they are collaborating to further their own political aims and keep power out of conservative hands.

“The cohesion of this group is indissoluble,” Schroeder, the conference host, replied when asked if efforts to seek solutions to the world’s problems depend on left-leaning leaders such as himself and Vice President Al Gore continuing to win elections.

The previous Third Way conference--in Florence, Italy, in November--drew only six states for discussions about how to extend to the developing world the policies that have brought about the most prolonged period of growth in the United States in half a century and have lifted countries such as Britain and Germany out of stagnation.

This time, the invitation net was cast around the world to bring in new voices and fresh ideas from center-left leaders outside the transatlantic alliance. In addition to five of the Group of 8 industrialized nations long engaged in the pursuit of progressive globalization--the United States, Germany, France, Italy and Canada--the Berlin meeting included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, Sweden, Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Although Britain’s Blair is the chief architect of the Third Way political construction, he was absent for the latest session because he is taking parental leave after the birth two weeks ago of his fourth child, Leo. Still, Blair’s embrace of the progressive ideal of both parents being deeply involved in the upbringing of their children likely sent a more impressive message to his colleagues than his presence would have.

“Progressive governance and the Third Way are pro-family,” Clinton commented, provoking laughter among the mostly German journalists still bemused by the British leader’s decision to skip an event that also is considered his baby.

The conference communique outlines broad ambitions and collective visions, explaining that the countries “are bound together first and foremost by our values.” Vowing commitment to solidarity and social fairness, the states appealed for governments to ensure that market economies also exercise social responsibility to guarantee economic growth, stability, new jobs, justice and environmental protection.

“Globalization must lead to higher living standards for all and not a destructive race to the bottom at the expense of environmental and worker protections,” the conference manifesto stated.

The document addressed concerns voiced by the three Latin American participants that governments more closely regulate financial markets to prevent the kind of crises that have afflicted their economies in recent years.

And South African President Thabo Mbeki appealed for more attention to developing nations and the influence of global economic policies on countries not yet fully benefiting from the technological advances of the last decade.

“We need a global democratic system of policymaking,” Mbeki said.

The lofty objectives outlined in the statement included an appeal to rich countries for more investment in technology in poorer states to help them combat disease, poverty and pollution.

“We believe in the positive possibilities of a globalized information economy,” Clinton told journalists, adding that the leaders had shared their experiences and success stories.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien explained at the meeting how Internet connections provided to Eskimo villages in the remote reaches of his country now allow them access to health information and educational resources despite their isolation.

By way of specific examples of how governments can enlist technology in public service, Clinton noted that he had been acquainted with projects and programs in some developing countries that are more advanced than in the U.S.

“I was in Hyderabad [India], where you can get 18 government services over the Internet, including a driver’s license, so no one ever waits in line for it anymore,” Clinton said, quipping that such a service in one of his own states likely would ensure that a governor would be reelected for life.

The message and marching orders of Progressive Governance are to be fine-tuned next month at a meeting in Portugal, Schroeder said, and Clinton noted that the G-8 summit in Okinawa, Japan, this summer also will address many of the concerns of where the Third Way goes from here.