More importantly he seems to think that there is some sort of distinct European model which involves an extensive welfare-state and economic equality. But at least in the minds of our political leaders there seems to be no such thing.

Having worked with economists and experts from many countries, I have always been stricken by the act that, whereas the Europeans question the very existence of a European social model, all non-Europeans claim there is one. What makes us differ is that it is not a single model, but what I would call a meta-model, i.e. a comprehensive set of principles which apply across almost all European countries, even if it translates into different national models. This set of principles include:

• (more or less) free* education
  
• (more or less) free universal healthcare
  
• national social protection schemes
  
• national retirement pension schemes
  
• social dialogue and collective bargaining
  

*when i say free, I mean not user-paid.

I nevertheless agree with you: some economic and political leaders, helped by the main media, are pushing hard to undo this "model"...

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet