4 ms·

I'd say that not having two world wars on your soil also helps.

• _fizz_buzz_ 3y ago
  It does, but the European and American economy have really diverged in the last 25 years. 25 years ago economies like Germany, Netherlands etc. were pretty much on par with the US economy (on per capita basis), which is not true anymore. And there wasn't a world war on European soil in the past 25 years. I would blame: - Mishandling the financial crises after 2008 (austerity measures) - Aging population (low birthrate + not enough immigrants) - Internet businesses really have an advantage in markets that are mono-lingual and most growth came from the internet in the past 25 years. - The EU exists, but the market is still very fragmented.
• renewiltord 3y ago
  It's true, the US had to go civilize Europe twice. America is using a lighter hand this time, but that is also because America is relatively weaker now. If Europe needs the US to come civilize it a third time, I think it might not happen. They will simply descend into the barbarism of the great wars without America to come quell them into civilization.
  • zilti 3y ago
    That is one of the most "arrogant asshole" comments I've seen here on HN.
    • TMWNN 3y ago
      Truth is truth, no matter the tone it is given in.
      • AlexeyBelov 3y ago
        Truth is truth, but that was not truth. Just saying it was does nothing.
  • wasmitnetzen 3y ago
    You need to get out of your bubble more often. Wealth does not equal being civilized.
  • baud147258 3y ago
    > the US had to go civilize Europe twice. the first time the US got dragged screaming and kicking into the war... And the second time, they might have sat most of the conflict in Europe if they hadn't gotten war declared on them by Hitler