I suppose nuclear threats from the west might have had something to do with it too.

But yeah that is the crux of it. It would have to be radically different looking. We can still have all the cool things we have now, just not as fucking much of it. But just as a broad example, we could maintain trade with the Congo while actually aiding in building their infrastructure. We could pay people a living wage to produce phones in Indonesia. Ultimately, it would just mean, what, a new generation of phone every 6-8 years instead of throw away trash we have now? Oh no.

I think China is doing an okay job, at least from over here. Especially if Xi is honest in his reaffirmation of communism.