Is Europe The New Poster Child For Success In Capitalism?

European markets are now more competitive than those in the U.S. and have delivered lower income inequality and, more recently, healthy employment levels, particularly for people aged 25-54. Meanwhile, the U.S. has grown less competitive as industries and companies have been allowed to integrate and grow with little oversight.

If we mark the success of capitalism as delivering a system where profits and prices are set through fierce competition among businesses, the EU may have the U.S. beat.

Evan Horowitz, Boston Globe's "Quick Study" columnist. Evan tweets @globehorowitz.