[therealpygon]

> I assume we agree that working less produces less

That’s a pretty big assumption. From what perspective, since the “working less” is only the perspective of the worker?

Production is not a zero-sum game that assumes companies make zero effort to invest in more manpower rather than profits.

Profit rates, however, are a significant part of the problem as each US company in the chain attempts to maximize profits they obtain from the next and avoid any competition (often using the legal system for protection). That doesn’t occur in the areas you mention because competition is the name of the game in those countries, which is why they have maximized production and flexibility.