european economies

[MIKEY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Friends,

I was talking with a friend from Austria last night.  He told me that the
Austrian economy was doing remarkably well with reasonably low unemployment, low
inflation, high living standards, etc. plus remarkably high productivity.
Does anyone out there have a take on Austria.  Is this true, and if so, how is
this being done when most of the rest of Europe is doing a lot less well.  Ir
sounded as if Austria is a highly "corporatist" society with very strong unions
(my friend thinks unions may be too powerful in that they are not willing to
accommodate certain groups outside of the prosperity) and a willingness of
capital to stay at home.  Also there is great fear of neoliberalism.

comments would be appreciated.

michael yates