Constitutional protection of social rights – Differences between European and American legal cultures – National solidarity and market relationships – New Deal and the creation of the American Welfare State – Functions of the American State – The reflection of profound political, moral and societal choices – The concept of Sozialstaat – Positive obligations and negative freedoms – European Social Model – Social services and competition rules – The concept of solidarity and the deregulatory effect of EU law – EU citizenship – Locating of social rights in market integration