European paradox

proper noun

The perceived failure of European countries to translate scientific advances into marketable innovations.

Meanings

proper nounthe European paradox

alternative European Paradox

  1. The perceived failure of European countries to translate scientific advances into marketable innovations.
    1 more example

    "... the research policy paradigm was already well embedded in a competitiveness/innovation oriented understanding and an understanding of the so-called European paradox, that is, the conjecture that EU member states play a leading global role in terms of top-level scientific output, but lag behind in the ability of converting this strength into wealth-generating innovations."

    2006, Maurice Kogan, Transforming Higher Education, →ISBN, page 174

Origin

Coined in a European Commission Green Paper in 1995.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

European paradox. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/European%20paradox

MLA

“European paradox.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/European%20paradox. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “European paradox,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/European%20paradox.

Source: European paradox on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.