Growth Versus Security: Old and New EU Members Quest for a New Economic and Social Model

European Union member states have always sought to share a common vision of an economic and social model that would be a blueprint for all states to follow, and one that would make Europe both prosperous and different from other parts of the world. For many European countries this blueprint has tradtionally been the European Social Model. This is a system based on a high level of social protection, social dialogue and public services to cover activities vital for social cohesion. Economic and political developments since the 1990s have made the blueprint less clear and attractive. The crisis in the Western European welfare state and the economic reforms stemming from this crisis have led to changes in the economic and social models of the EU member states, giving rise to a debate on the viabilty of the European Social Model. This issue has become increasingly complex and dynamic following successive eastern enlargements of the Union. This book examines whether the recent economic, social and political developments in the European Union and its member states require the Union to revise its belief that Europe can effectively compete with the United States and the emerging economies. This volume brings together a wide range of policy experts from both old and new European Union member states, as well as from the United States, and presents their insights, observations and research on this key issue. This book is an essential companion for all interested in the debate surrounding the future of economic and social models in Europe.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Introduction PART I: ECONOMIC MODELS AND POLICY MAKING IN THE EU. EXPERIENCE, REFORMS AND DILEMMAS Critical Remarks on European Economic and Social Models and Their Competitiveness; J.Bradley The European Union and the United States Different Legacies and Attitudes Towards Modernity; A.Bryk New Challenges for the European Social Model and How to Cope with Them; K.Aiginger Lessons from Sweden's Welfare State; B.Swedenborg Flexicurity in Danish: A Model for Labor Market Reforms in the EU?; P.K.Madsen Flexicurity - Consensus and Beyond. New European Model or Just a Way to Reform the Welfare State?; M.-J.RadLo Modern Economic Growth and Factor Productivity: The Importance of Flexibility; J.C.Brada Public Finances and Structural Reforms in the US and the EU - lessons for the New Member States; F.Keereman& S.Steinlein Growth versus Security Choice and the Generational Difference in Preferences; S.GomuLka PART II: NEW EU MEMBER STATES' ATTEMPT TO CHALLENGE EUROSCLEROSIS AND THE SOLUTIONS THEY OFFER Towards an Effective Catching-up Model. Economic Reforms in Slovakia; I.Miklos The EU Membership and the Polish Economic Policy Dilemma; W.BieA kowski Beyond Models and Regulations: Eastward Expansion vs. Retrenchment in the 'New' EU; W.D.Connor [Title to be confirmed]; L.Bokros Economic reforms in the Czech Republic; K.Dyba Institutional Transplants In the Transformation of Poland's Economy and Policy; J.Rostowski US Economic Experience and Regulatory Reform in Poland; E.Freyberg Conclusions; W.BieA kowski, J.C.Brada& M.-J.RadLo

About the Author :
WOJCIECH BIEAEKOWSKI is Professor of Economics and Dean at the Lazarski School of Commerce and Law as well as fellow at The Institute for Applied Economics and the Study of Business Enterprise, The Johns Hopkins University. JOSEF C. BRADA is Professor of Economics and Director at the College of Business International Programs, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, and Executive Secretary, Association for Comparative Economic Studies. MARIUSZ-JAN RADLO is Associate Professor at the Warsaw School of Economics. In 2004-2007 served as VP for research of the Polish Lisbon Strategy Forum. He has authored numerous publications and research projects devoted to economic reforms in Poland and the EU.