[Phillip Augustus]

And, still producing the greatest literature, poetry, architecture, music, art, etc, etc, in the world. To say nothing of technological advances.

[discostu]

If you say so, IMHO the bauhaus movement pretty much signaled the end of Europe actually being useful contributors to the western world. Though I do think America is pretty handly kicking the crap out of Europe in technological innovation, that's what happens when you go all socialist, there's not much reason to invetn. Of course people don't leave a country for another because they prefer the poetry. They uproot themselves because they think there's a better chance to do things like eat and not be blown to bits. And when it comes to basic survival of the average person, Europe really sucked in the 19th and early 20th centuries.