The EU culturally corrected market economy: A tale of two glories!

This chapter reflects on the symbiotic relationship between economic and cultural policies from a legal perspective. It discusses, on the basis of the preceding chapters, to what extent the European Union can be truly characterized as a culturally corrected market economy in which economic policies are influenced, amended, softened and perhaps contained by cultural concerns. By reviewing the link between culture and economic policies in different legal fields, it becomes clear that culture is, without any doubt, and at least to a certain extent, embedded in all EU economic policies under discussion. In addition, cultural elements can be relevant to many different stakeholders, even those that are not directly active in the cultural sector. That being said, the chapter demonstrates that there is still ample room for improving the balancing of economic and cultural interests.