To find the answer one has to look into the European economic history, to look at how the European countries became so rich.

为了找到答案之一，翻开欧洲经济史，看看欧洲国家是如何变得如此富有。

youdao

This paper first introduces general theories of economic integration and optimal currency area and reviews the history of European Union and European economic and Monetary Union.

本文首先介绍经济一体化的一般理论和最优货币区理论，并简要回顾欧盟以及欧洲经济货币联盟成立的过程。

youdao

Galassi, Francesco L. Measuring Social Capital: Culture as an Explanation of Italy's Economic Dualism. European Review of Economic History 5 (April 2001): 29-59.

衡量社会资本：用文化说明义大利经济的二元性〉，《欧洲经济史回顾》第5期（2001年4月号）：第29-59页。

youdao

Demographic causes and consequences of the industrial revolution, by Julian L. Simon, in The Journal of European Economic History, spring 1994.

ECONOMIST: Millennium issue

The poorer countries are doing well compared to each other, and compared to their economic history, but their spending power is generations behind their European, American, and Japanese counterparts.

FORBES: Economies Of Brazil & UK Show How Poor Get Rich Slowly

The closer integration of the U.S. and European economies will reinforce the most powerful alliance in history and underscore a common commitment to global economic norms.

WSJ: Tom Donilon: The President's Free-Trade Path to Prosperity