> Part of the problem is that in Europe they go about these initiatives by throwing grant money and government programs at it. This can create jobs, and they ca

> Part of the problem is that in Europe they go about these initiatives by throwing grant money and government programs at it. This can create jobs, and they can become efficient at extracting grant money, but it doesn't necessarily create a self-sustaining economic engine. It's what happens when you redirect so much money to politicians and bureaucrats. Creating jobs is how they get reelected. That's also how you get labor laws that make it difficult to fire and hire: the slacker's vote is worth just as much as the startup founder's.