Europeans wary of US-style capitalism

[Judi Lynn]

Europeans wary of US-style capitalism
By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt

Published: September 23 2007 16:40 | Last updated: September 23 2007 16:40

Europeans have little faith that their continent can compete economically with fast-growing Asian countries – but are even more convinced that it should not become more like the US.

The wary attitude of Europeans towards US-style capitalism and the gloom of many about economic prospects are revealed in an FT/Harris poll. The results suggest even the recent revival in economic growth has not convinced Europeans that the Continent is on the right track.

Scepticism may have been intensified by the recent global financial market turmoil that has seen the euro soaring to record highs. The poll was conducted between September 6 and September 17.

It shows that multinational corporations are seen by Europeans as more powerful than governments, while those polled generally believed that regulations protecting workers’ rights should be strengthened rather than relaxed.

More:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/22a93b12-69ea-11dc-a571-0000779fd2ac.html

[PDJane]

1. And they have that right, too......

amazing what a good education and a free press will do.

[Hope springs eternal]

3. Note the lack of faith

in the future of their continent. How much of this question is about the image of the US rather than the question of economics.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Multinational corporations are seen by Europeans

as more powerful than governments. It's the morality of the situation I guess. You may have noticed they're not exactly frightened of taking on the "big boys" in court over here and are happy to stand up for the "little guys" as in the Fair Trade banana debacle , for example, which persists.

I've got a feeling we've still got restrictions on soya imports too.