In an interview published in the Sankei Shimbun, French economist Jacques Attali views the novel coronavirus crisis as a turning point in world history and calls for a shift toward an economy and society centered on “industries that protect life.” While some speak of the decline of the West, Attali declares that China, as a despotic state, will never replace the United States as a global superpower.

May 11, 2020
A despotic state will never become a superpower with global influence.
The following is from the front page of the Sankei Shimbun the day before yesterday.
French economist Jacques Attali
“Industries That Protect Life” Will Take Center Stage
Epidemics have become turning points in world history.
French economist and thinker Jacques Attali looks back over that history and, taking the novel coronavirus crisis as an opportunity, calls for a transformation toward an economy and society centered on “industries that protect life,” with an emphasis on empathy toward others.
The Crisis Has Only Just Begun
—What will be the economic and social impact of the novel coronavirus crisis?
“The crisis is extremely serious. It can be said that it has only just begun. Even countries where the direct damage from infection was not so great will be caught up in a global recession and affected by it. It may become the worst situation of the past century.”
“Amid such circumstances, an awareness is beginning to emerge among people that ‘society must be changed into a different form.’ To do so, it is necessary to change the present direction of the economy and concentrate on ‘industries that protect life.’ ‘Industries that protect life’ means production sectors related to hygiene, food, energy, education, medical research, water resources, digital technology, security, and democracy. We must shift toward altruistic industries that protect someone and value empathy toward others.”
—How have epidemics changed the world?
“Epidemics have the power to change social systems. On the European continent, every time an epidemic raged, the systems of faith and rule that had taken root in society lost credibility and fell. In place of the old rulers, new authorities acquired legitimacy.”
“In Europe in the 14th century, one-third of the population died in the plague. The religious authority that formed the ruling class, namely the Catholic Church, not only failed to save the lives of those seeking salvation, but could not even show the meaning of death to people seeking spiritual salvation. The authority of the Church declined, and in place of the clergy, the police came to hold power.”
“By the end of the 18th century, doctors had replaced the police as the presence that protected people from the fear of death. Epidemics gave birth to the modern state. The spirit of science came to stand above superstition and religious authority. In the present coronavirus crisis, altruism and ‘industries that protect life’ will certainly become the winners.”
—The West has suffered many deaths and relied on Chinese medical supplies. Some say this will bring about a decline in the status of the West.
“The decline of the West? That may happen. However, China will not become a superpower replacing the United States. I do not think China is aiming for that either. In fact, while the United States has military bases in more than 40 locations around the world, China has only one overseas base, in Djibouti in eastern Africa. Moreover, China has very great domestic problems, including food. A despotic state will never become a superpower with global influence.”
—Will the European Union, which could not unite in its response to the novel coronavirus, weaken?
“In Asia, South Korea and Vietnam succeeded in containing the spread of the virus, while Europe’s response was slow. That is because we had no experience of such a large-scale viral disaster. In the EU, conflict also continued over how to deal with debt accompanying fiscal spending for economic measures.”
“Even so, Europe has strengths in all economic fields related to industries that protect life. Moreover, in the EU today, there is no country that wishes to leave following Britain. On the contrary, nearly ten countries are still knocking on the door, wishing to join.”
It Is Not All Darkness
—Where is the world heading? There are many pessimistic views.
“We must move toward a new development model that is completely different from what has existed until now. This crisis will be an opportunity for everyone to realize that necessity. Let us not look only at the dark side, but think positively.”
“A society that acts in order to protect others is precisely the direction we should aim for. We must build industrial strength that can stand on its own in fields that protect life. The road is long. Along the way, we will probably have to overcome economic war. Even so, let us renew our way of thinking and move forward with hope.”
(Interviewer: Mina Kaminii, Paris)