Social Market Economy ─ The Case of Germany

The book presents the economic policy model known as “Social Market Economy” in Germany, the country where it originated. Although the model has since been adopted as core objective in the EU Treaty of Lisbon, experts still disagree on its exact nature. The author contributes to this debate by presenting the German economic system from an external perspective and looking at the extent to which it enabled the country increase its weight in international relations. The system's history, identity, political and economic concepts, including ordoliberalism, are analyzed. Its potential and shortcomings are assessed by comparing it to other forms of capitalism. A brief enquiry is made into whether the "Social Market Economy", or aspects of it, are applicable to other countries, including in Eastern Europe. Providing both theoretical and practical aspects, the book offers a valuable resource for researchers, public administration professionals, and policymakers.

Stefan Sorin Muresan holds a PhD in Economics from Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, an MA in diplomatic studies from the University of Westminster in London and a MSc. equivalent degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. His main areas of academic interest are foreign policy and international economics and is affiliated to theAltiero Spinelli Centre for the Study of European Organization of the University Babes-Bolyai, Cluj-Napoca Romania. He worked as a senior diplomat in the Romanian Embassy in Germany and in the Department for Economic Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest, and served as an advisor on international relations to the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania in Bucharest. Muresan partly lives in Germany where he works as a business consultant specializing in East-West business development for industry and trade, in international project management and as political consultant on behalf of The Diplomatic Economist Ltd. whose director he is. He teaches “Economic Diplomacy” for incoming international students at the University of Applied Science Wurzburg, lectures at political foundations and works occasionally for the Federal German Institute for Vocational Education and Training as an expert for evaluating EU projects and for CEDEFOP and international study visits.