From the Internet and social media to smartphones, photovoltaic, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, Europe seems to have missed the golden age of every new industry.
The commanding heights of technology and markets have been captured by China and the United States, with Europe often left behind.
This backwardness is caused by multiple reasons such as culture, society, economy and market size. European conservatism and the idea of a welfare society play an important role in this.
Compared with the dynamic and conflicted United States, European societies are more static, where the concept of the welfare state is deeply ingrained and social justice is seen as Paramount, but the spirit of competition is suppressed.
However, by missing out on almost all new industries, Europe has lost its autonomy.
Without U.S. support, advanced economies could be challenged by China and militarily suppressed by Russia.
Europe, once the world's dominant power, has lost its luster and is struggling. Through the years, Europe seems to be guarding a shadow of its past, with little change or progress.
Society presents a static picture of the "end of history," where the spark of competition and innovation has all but died out.
People at the bottom can enjoy a relatively satisfactory life, but at the same time, high-end talents are flocking to the United States, where there are more challenges and opportunities, to seek personal value and career development.
Yet Europe's coziness is not without cost.
The good life is based on a global order led by the United States. The key to Europe's post-World War II welfarism lies in America's commitment and practice to European defense.
After the end of the Cold War, the military strength of great powers such as Britain, France and Germany was rapidly reduced, and the prosperity and peace of Europe were sacrificed at the cost of partial sovereignty and national defense autonomy.
In summary, European societies enjoy high welfare and harmony at the cost of missing out on opportunities for new industries and stifling competition and innovation.
Stability is deeply dependent on American security guarantees. At the same time, the influx of immigrants from Asia, Africa and Latin America also poses a challenge to European society.
In a rapidly changing global landscape, if Europe fails to break out of its rigid status quo and regain its innovative spirit and competitiveness, it will become increasingly marginalized, an absentee from emerging industries and a bystander to global competition.
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