The Economist had a great article last week discussing the lack of entrepreneurship in the Euro-zone. Since 1970, what 3 of the top 500 companies were created there. Comparatively, 52 were created in America. They have a similar focus on make it hard to fire someone often requiring six months of severance. They make it extremely hard to access financing. And, not surprisingly, they regulate every nook and cranny to the point where launching a business becomes almost impossible.