Economic models. When will all the models parade their charms

Article forms part of an FT Survey 'The future of Europe', which comprises a series of features focusing on challenges facing the European Union in the future and coinciding with the Austrian EU Presidency / European Commission conference, The Sound of Europe, Salzburg, 27-28 January 2006. The Conference was planned to formally kick-start the 'period of reflection' called for by the EU Member States in 2005 following the rejection of the proposed EU Constitution by the electorates in France and the Netherlands.

In this article Martin Wolf examines how the various European 'economic models' (Nordic, Anglo-Saxon, Rhineland and Mediterranean) work in terms of two fundamental European objectives: high levels of employment and elimination of relative poverty.