can be solved without the joint assistance of the richer countries. The Western democracies will also have to take upon themselves, on a global scale, those problems that communism has been unable to solve at the national or international BHS/td A/S-18/PV.3 28 (Mr. De Michelis, Italy) level. We, too, feel responsible, together with the countries directly concerned, for the need for justice accompanying that missed challenge. Besides, the needs of Eastern Europe, which require us to contribute to its reconstruction, are more familiar to our history and our traditions than the problems of the South, for which our concern is often motivated more by a bad conscience than by a well-conceived self-interest. So we must reassure, by deeds and not by words, those who fear that, once its basic conflicts have been resolved, Europe will look to its own concerns and ignore those of others. The third consideration is the emergence of democracy as the dominant theme of our times. Democracy is not a genetic trait peculiar to Europe but is an essential prerequisite for economic and social well-being the world over. Developments in Eastern Europe show that democracy is the greatest innovation of all, the antidote to all dogmatism. From now on we shall be more wary of the illusions inherent in every ideology. Economically, we know that any alternative Utopia, any totalitarian organization which, like the model that has failed so miserably, calls for rigid planning of supply and determination of demand can only lead to a dead end. These considerations should be the starting-point for any strategy based on the lessons learned from the 1980s, and particularly the negative ones, and designed to reduce, if not remedy, destabilizing imbalances. I shall confine myself to outlining three possible courses of action. First of all, regional co-operation will have to be intensified and expanded. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the global challenges that the Western democracies face, particularly in the context of the end of the Cold War and the emergence of democracy as a dominant theme. It highlights the need for cooperation and the importance of addressing global problems, including the reconstruction of Eastern Europe and the need for justice. The text does not specifically mention economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, but rather focuses on the role of democracy and the need for international cooperation.

**Category**
International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief, Education