Communism has collapsed. Capitalism has rid itself of thecompetition on which it thrives. But though now victorious,capitalism has become a threat. The future of us all may be shapedby the outcome of the conflict between capitalism as victor andcapitalism as threat. Not only in Europe, but also in the US andJapan - and no doubt shortly in the Eastern countries too - thegreat debate is capitalism versus capitalism. On the one hand is the "neo-American" model based on individualachievement and short-term profits. On the other is the Rhine modelpractices in Switzerland, Germany, Benelux, Northern Europe and,partly, in Japan. In the Rhine model collective achievement andpublic concensus are seen as the keys to long-term success. The first is more seductive, the second more effective. Thesetwo opposing forms of capitalism are engaged in a war which, likeall internal conflicts, involves both secrecy and even hypocrisy.The outcome of this struggle could affect the quality of life onall levels of society. The author of this book aims to provide a synthesis which willforce the reader to consider the political and economic issues atstake towards the end of the century.