"The concept of a European Social Model is highly complex and controversial. Many attempts have been made to construct a winning coalition which could convince the member states of the EU to settle for a common social model implemented at the European level. There is now a new rhetorical figure being constructed in terms of a “social investment welfare state”. Authors like Bruno Palier (France) and Joakim Palme (Sweden) argue that welfare should be seen as investments in a healthy population, i.e. to increase competitiveness. This concept may in fact be an attempt to align social democrats with conservatives of a mercantilists leaning, i.e. those who believe in a strong role for the state to develop the resources of the nation. The rhetorical coalition is seen more clearly if it is contrasted to another possible coalition, a coalition of social democrats and liberals, around the idea of providing support for individuals rather than firms."

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