page_title: European social model
section_title: Evaluating the different social models
hierarchical_section_title: European social model / Evaluating the different social models
caption_attribution_description: Graph made by Jorditxei describing Efficiency of Social Expenditures in EU
context_page_description: The European social model is a common vision many European states have for a society that combines economic growth with high living standards and good working conditions. Historian Tony Judt has argued that the European social model "binds Europe together" in contrast to the 'American way of life'.
  European states do not all use a single social model, but welfare states in Europe do share several broad characteristics. These generally include a commitment to full employment, social protections for all citizens, social inclusion, and democracy. Examples common among European countries include universal health care, free higher education, strong labor protections and regulations, and generous welfare programs in areas such as unemployment insurance, retirement pensions, and public housing. The Treaty of the European Community set out several social objectives: "promotion of employment, improved living and working conditions ... proper social protection, dialogue between management and labour, the development of human resources with a view to lasting high employment and the combating of exclusion."
context_section_description: To evaluate the different social models, we follow the criteria used in Boeri (2002) and Sapir (2005) which consider that a social model should satisfy the following:
  Reduction in poverty.
  Protection against labour market risks.
  Rewards for labour participation.
caption: Efficiency of social expenditures in the four European social models
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