Indeed, the perception in Northern Europe is that only serious strains provide the required incentives to overcome domestic political and social obstacles to slashing public spending and reforming labor markets. For Southern Europe, no pain means no gain: a deep recession and a sharp increase in unemployment may be the price of lasting improvements in productivity and competitiveness.
事实上，欧洲北部各国的看法就是只有高压才能提供克服国内政治和社会障碍所需的激励因素，最终实现支出削减以及劳动力市场改革。而对南欧国家来说，没有牺牲何来收获：一场大衰退和失业率的大增或许是生产力和竞争力持续改善所必须付出的代价。