There are fundamental questions to ask before we are able to come to grips in regard to the future of the European Social Model and the role of Europe in a globalising world. Today we are facing a number of challenges. In September 2009 the biggest financial and economic crash since the Black Friday 1929 has shuttered the economic model of deregulation at any price and the attempt to destroy the welfare state. Apparently we are at a new beginning, although those who are mainly responsible for this disaster try to blame the state. Since many years there were already a number of warnings that this neo-liberal economic system, which declared war on the trade unions and workers? participation, is not sustainable ? neither economically or financially nor socially or environmentally, argues the paper.