This is bizarre.

Of course there is not one single factor determining the economic, technical and social development of countries over decades of time.

But the relationship between unions, the labor movement, and social democratic policies is obvious.

Those in turn have had a large impact on equality and standard of living.

The economy benefits from having a larger base of well off consumers, and a well educated, healthy, non-striking labor force. It's a self reinforcing positive spriral.