The Value and Significance of Global Division of Labor and Cooperation

Xuefeng

Imagine there are eight people living on Earth. Is it better for them to divide labor and cooperate, or for each to operate independently?

Under division of labor and cooperation, one person provides food for all, another provides clothing, one provides housing, another handles transportation, one ensures electricity, another crafts tools, one offers entertainment and education, and one provides services related to birth, aging, illness, and death. Each person contributing their strengths and serving one another.

In contrast, operating independently means each person grows their own crops, cooks their meals, weaves their fabrics, builds their homes, constructs roads, generates electricity, makes tools, cuts their hair, and even constructs their own coffins and handles burial services.

When compared, the results are clear: the cooperative approach is far superior. It reduces costs, improves efficiency, creates more wealth, and maximizes the use of resources and individual talents.

Now, let us examine the situation on Earth. If we liken countries to eight people, are these countries cooperating or acting independently? At present, every country grows its own food, manufactures steel, builds machine tools, cars, and airplanes, and strives to produce semiconductors to avoid reliance on others. Each seeks to establish a complete system encompassing agriculture, industry, information, services, and military development. This is essentially operating independently, not cooperating.

Each country has unique geographic, climatic, and natural resources, as well as varying levels of technological development and educational quality. By playing to their strengths, avoiding weaknesses, and embracing globalization for mutual benefit, by avoiding threats and bottlenecks, countries can fully utilize global resources. This approach would ensure that natural resources are developed rationally and human resources are fully harnessed.

For instance, China could specialize in producing clothing, toys, and everyday goods for the world; Russia could focus on natural gas, basic energy, fertilizers, and wheat; the United States could lead global education, technological innovation, and security; Germany could manufacture machine tools and mechanical equipment; Japan could produce cars and home appliances; and Zimbabwe could excel in tourism and retirement services. By leveraging their strengths, countries could exchange resources freely, eliminate tariffs, and operate as one global family. With free movement of people, Earth would transform into a paradise.

We must acknowledge two truths: first, every region has unique natural advantages; second, in any field, some individuals possess exceptional talents. Fully utilizing these natural advantages and human resources can significantly reduce production costs, minimize resource waste, and maximize efficiency.

Would it work to have Bangladesh develop a space program, Mongolia excel in maritime industries, Zambia lead technological innovation, or Ethiopia specialize in heavy industry? Of course not—they lack the necessary conditions. Would it make sense for Elon Musk to raise rabbits, Mark Zuckerberg to produce wine, Ren Zhengfei to serve as a small-town mayor, or soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø to build houses? While possible, it would waste their exceptional talents.

The benefits of division of labor and cooperation are clear: natural advantages are maximized, talent is fully utilized, production costs are minimized, efficiency is maximized, and outcomes are optimal.

In chess, each piece—whether it’s a guard, elephant, general, horse, cannon, or soldier—has its unique role. Operating outside its capacity leads to inefficiency. If we view the world as a chessboard, each country and nation contributing its strengths will yield immeasurable benefits.

Of course, this is an ideal scenario. In reality, selfishness and greed often obstruct this vision. However, it remains the direction humanity should strive toward to thrive on Earth.

Competition is not a hallmark of advanced civilizations. Instead, embracing strengths, division of labor, cooperation, and mutual service are the principles that civilized societies should follow.

December 11, 2024