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| Europe | ||
| Dutch Minister Calls for New Social Model for EU | ||
| 2004-10-08 | ||
| Via Instapundit. EFL. Only by working longer and moving towards the US social model can Europe BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA Modernising the European social model is a matter of urgency if Europe wants to maintain its model of choice in the long term and close the productivity gap with the US, believes the minister GFL with that one, Jan. 'I will argue that the updated European social model should differ distinctly from the current one' explained Mr Brinkhorst. 'It will inevitably resemble the US model more than is the case today.
[Emphasis added] Yeesh. No wonder they whine all the time. Good on him for at least figuring out the difference has a lot to do with the difference in work ethics. Economic growth is crucial for a high and sustainable standard of living for future generations, and the only way to achieve this is to work longer hours and for more years, said the minister. Don't tell the Phrench, cookie. You'll have a nuanced riot of whining on your hands. Flexibility of working time must also increase if we want Europe to fare better in times of increasing global competition, added Mr Brinkhorst. 'If Europeans worked for two hours longer a week, EU GDP could increase by about 6 per cent,' said Mr Brinkhorst, demonstrating his claim that 'a small change can make a big difference.' And if they'd work 4 or 5 more hours a week - and get paid for it - they'd begin to approach the American worker in productivity and buying power. 'We need to get into a higher gear and redirect the [Lisbon] agenda to target enhancing economic growth, employment and competition,' he concluded, calling for more flexible labour markets, the stimulation of innovation through research excellence, improved legislation, and lower taxes for more productivity and a better business climate. He loses his job and is tarred and feathered in 5, 4, 3.... | ||
| Posted by:Barbara Skolaut |
| #9 At the same time, they could teach us a few things about work/life balance. What? I can have more fun than any 3.2 Euros, but only for 2 weeks and football season. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-10-08 5:41:46 PM |
| #8 The Dutch have moved further ahead than their continental peers in the areas of flexible work rules and labor mobility. At the same time, they could teach us a few things about work/life balance. |
| Posted by: lex 2004-10-08 3:51:08 PM |
| #7 As someone who has spent a number of years in the Netherlands working with both private and government entities, I am not surprised that they are out front on this. He is not using double speak but rather using what is called their the Polder Model(named after the canals or polders that dot the landscape. In this model, you achieve consensus among employer and employee (as well as the community)of equal value and consideration - very much like collective bargaining here but with more social, cultural and local community values included and agreed to. I believe what he is doing (and this is very much a Dutch business culture tactic) is to show a weakening of competition not due so much to the cradle to grave welfare and state sponsored nannieism but rather to lack of progress on the productivity front. Lets work more hours, smarter, faster, etc. But at the same time enjoy our time off, our leisure pursuits blah, blah, blah. The fact is that outside of the UK - the only old europe country that could drive this is the Netherlands and their closest partner the Flemings of Belgium. These are the original great international merchant class and they have seen their markets slip lately due to the loss of productivity. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2004-10-08 3:10:13 PM |
| #6 What's unclear is that social seems to be substituting for economic in this article. If it's an economic model that imitates the US's but is more concerned with social inclusion and environment, then that might entail reducing the gap between rich and poor, giving a voice to all "castes" of a society in the economic plan, and keeping business in line with stricter environmental regulations. That sounds like something Europe would be comfortable with anyway. If he is talking about a social model, what does he mean by that term? |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-10-08 2:13:08 PM |
| #5 Jules - I think he's saying they need to copy the American economic model while claiming it's a European model. Or maybe he's using diplomatic bullshitspeak out of habit. :-p |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-10-08 2:02:01 PM |
| #4 But it will still be a European model, reflecting European preferences for social inclusion and environment. The main conditions for achieving this are enhancing growth and employability,’ he said. Anyone out there who can translate this from gobbledy gook to plainspoken English? What causes what? |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-10-08 1:08:44 PM |
| #3 Another traitor to the cause of cultural diversity. He's soon to be personna non grata in gay Paris. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2004-10-08 1:02:16 PM |
| #2 The gap is worse than 55% when you realize most things cost quite a bit more in Europe. |
| Posted by: ed 2004-10-08 1:00:18 PM |
| #1 I stay and argue, but I'm leaving early. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-10-08 12:58:40 PM |