ThinkTankWeekly

Europe Can’t Get Out of Its Own Way

Foreign Affairs | 2026-09-23 | europe

Topics: China, Europe, Middle East, United States

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English Summary

The article argues that Europe's economic decline, particularly in high-tech sectors, is not due to a lack of ambition but rather to internal regulatory hurdles and excessive red tape that stifle innovation. Evidence shows EU productivity lags significantly behind the US, and legacy industries (like automotive and aerospace) are struggling to adapt to rapid technological change due to rigid structures. To reverse this trend, Europe must prioritize deregulation and create a flexible, venture-backed startup ecosystem, mirroring the successful model of the United States, to build a new 'productive crucible' for growth.

中文摘要

本文論述歐洲經濟衰退,特別是在高科技領域,並非源於缺乏雄心,而是由於內部監管障礙和過度的繁文<0xE7><0xB8><0xBB>式規定(red tape)扼殺了創新。證據顯示,歐盟的生產力顯著落後於美國,而傳統產業(如汽車和航空航天)因結構僵化,難以適應快速的技術變革。為扭轉這一趨勢,歐洲必須優先進行去監管化,並建立一個靈活、由風險投資支持的新創生態系統,效仿美國的成功模式,從而打造一個新的「生產熔爐」(productive crucible)以實現增長。

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