Globalization and the Reform of European Social Models *

Globalization implies changes that create both threats and opportunities. The challenge for Europe is to become flexible in order to avail of the opportunities this brings and surmount the threats. This requires reforming labour market and social policies. When thinking about such reforms the notion of a single ‘European social model’ is largely irrelevant. There are four different European social models, each with its own performance in terms of efficiency and equity. The Nordic and the Anglo‐Saxon models are both efficient, but only the former manages to combine equity and efficiency. The Continental and Mediterranean models are inefficient and unsustainable; they must therefore be reformed.