Eurosclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system, marked by slurred speech and impaired coordination.

Eurosclerosis is an economic disease, marked by economic stagnation and heavy regulation. Basically, it's the economy-wide version of MS. (Sclerosis means "abnormal hardening of body tissue" in medical circles. We don't recommend it as a good name for your next child.)

The term "Eurosclerosis" was invented by a German economist named Herbert Giersch who was trying to describe the economic stagnation that was taking place in Europe during the 1970s. (In the U.S., a similar situation was deemed "stagflation.")

Giersch blamed stringent government regulations and a generous social policy (with heavy welfare commitments) for the problems.