Also, I'll bet the American government is a lot more afraid of the people than most European governments are of their people. I suppose that could be argued either way to be a good or a bad thing.
I bet the French government is more afraid of their people than the American government is.
The French people shut down their economy and raise holy hell when the government starts acting contrary to their interests.
The Americans mumble some crap about 2nd Amendment rights online, and then fire up steam or crack a beer.