Abstract
This article reviews recent developments in social dialogue demonstrating that consultation between government and key stakeholders contributes to labour peace, social stability and national development. After defining the stages through which social dialogue has developed, the author explains the various ways in which it contributes to economic and social development. He considers four developing countries (Barbados, Indonesia, Kenya and Panama), and one transition economy (Czech Republic), examining how they have used tripartite institutions to achieve social peace, labour market adjustment and socio-economic development. Finally, he offers a model to integrate "new" actors into the tripartite framework for social dialogue.