European system between franciscan vocation and lutheran capitalism

This paper argues that: a) economic systems are an expression of their own cultures and histories and they cannot therefore be exported to places where the local culture does not support their implementation; b) the indiscriminate application of the German (Lutheran) model to all European countries (mainly to Mediterranean Catholic countries) has fostered economic growth in the EU at different speeds; c) Italy, the cradle of Catholic capitalism, is currently attempting to react against austerity measures - imposed by the economic constrictions of the German model – by focusing on the third sector and non-profit companies, which are an expression of Catholic capitalism.