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The Social Market Economy: Bridging Society and Economy

by Martha Kontodaimon
A seminar on the Social Market Economy model and its application to our society

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The second introductory seminar on the model of the Social Market Economy, organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Greece Office, took place in Nafplio between 14.- 17.05.2015. The main purpose of the seminar was to provide the basic knowledge on the model of Social Market Economy and motivate the participants to think differently when faced with an economic and a societal problem. On a second base it enabled valuable discussion between the younger Greek generations with a scholar and expert on issues of Social Justice coming from Germany.

Day One

On the first day the introduction to the theory behind the model and the main principles of the Social Market Economy model was held by Martha Kontodaimon, Research Associate of KAS Athens. The theory parts were followed by group works and presentations from the participants on the basic individual decision making procedure rules. In this way, it was established that all the participants started from the same knowledge ground.

Day Two

The second day started with a theory session on the importance of Start Ups for Germany, Greece and Europe, their possibilities of evolving to Small and Middle Sized Enterprises and the effect this brings to an economy. The topic focused furthermore to the possibilities that the Social Market Economy model provides to the entrepreneurial spirit of its constituents as well on the supporting environment that it creates for its Small and Middle Sized Enterprises. The second theory part of the day focused on justice and fairness in economics. Prof. Dr. Karl Justus Bernhard Neumärker, Professor of Economics and Director of the Department for Economic Policy and Constitutional Economic Theory, presented basic theories of justice and fairness on income distribution and the assumptions that need to be fulfilled in order for them to become applicable in a society. The sessions were followed by lively discussions on the relevance of Social Market Economy and individual presentations on the principles of the model. During the individual assignments the students took their time to evaluate and decide which of the principles presented to them they would like to see developing in their own country. Each participant had to select two principles that she or he considered of high importance for their society and economic life and argue on hers or his motivation on the selected norms.

Day Three

The third day started with a small round walk of Nafplio during which the participants got to discuss in pairs cases of implementation of the Social Market Economy in the German system, as stated in the Economic Review of the German Ministry 2014. The session was followed by the presentation of Prof. Dr. Karl Justus Bernhard Neumärker on the ways economists have tried to implement income justice in the laboratory and the policy implications derived by this long term process. The discussion which followed focused on the results of the lab and utilized the examples discussed in the first session in order to compare and evaluate possible implementations of the Social Market Economy by the Greek society. The day ended with a lively presentation coming from Pavlos Georgiadis, Co-Founder of the Start Up We Deliver Taste. The session started with the presentation of his Start Up and the ways it has managed to fill a gap in the Agro-Food Sector of the economy. The presenter motivated the participants to become more active when it comes to their choices of employment and social action and focus their individual actions towards the goals they want to see achieved. A robust discussion emerged on the current Greek economic institutions and their possibilities to reach the peak of their potential.

Day Four

The fourth day was focused on the students' understanding of the model and their own ideas on Social Market Economy-based solutions for the Greek economy. The participants, split already into groups of five, chose an economic institution of their country which they consider inefficient and malfunctioning. Subsequently they applied the already discussed principles of the Social Market Economy within these institutions, aiming to project how they could become efficient through private initiative. In this way the participants sketched how their own actions and motivations could have a positive effect on their society and economy. Through their half hour-presentations they were given the possibility to present and discuss with their peers on their proposed solutions and ways of reproduction of the key ideas within the Social Market Economy model: the personal responsibility.

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Contact

Martha Kontodaimon

Martha Kontodaimon bild

Project Manager - Research Associate

Martha.Kontodaimon@kas.de +30 210 7247 126
Social Market Economy Greek Logo - KAS Athen IN8 / KAS Athen

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