European Social Model - Parting of the Ways?

The European social model is currently the topic of many scholarly discussions. Most authors (Krebs, Mitchell, Godet, etc.) agree that, due to demographic factors and economic crises, the view of the European welfare state has to be changed. The discussions about the welfare state (Krebs, 2011) concern its existence, and moreover how it should work: its extent, its organization, and its long-term effectiveness. Changes in the perception of the welfare state in general are reflected in perceptions of particular welfare states of developed European countries. It is apparent that the national economies' capacity to fund extensive social programs is limited, and that it is necessary to shift the boundary between national and individual responsibilities. This article investigates the Czech Republic's position in terms of social benefits in comparison to the United Kingdom and France, as representatives of more advanced economies. The study addresses whether the social expenditures of individual EU countries are sustainable under the contemporary EU priorities for social security