Abstract

The article presents the complex and controversial concept of the European social model (Esm) through an analysis of not only its plurality of meanings. Even when the Esm was deeply challenged by the development of globalized competition and the economic crisis, the changes marking the various different European welfare models appeared to converge and push systems towards a hybridization. It is precisely the low level of rigidity with which the construction process of the Esm has been characterized that appears to provide added value as it provides national and local welfare systems with resilience.