Using the statistics Patrick posted, I would think the low numbers of the low countries would have more to do with the low proportion of blacks/Hispanics compared to the US.
ssshhh. you don't want to be called a racist for pointing out the truth do you.
Actually, the most powerful conversationalist is the one who says what everyone else is thinking.
Personally I think most small European countries (and Asian countries) have a lot of social capital, partly due to their homogeneity, not only racially but economically, culturally, and geographically. The larger the case, generally the less social capital you'll have. There's a Madisonian argument somewhat similiar to this. Of course, this tends to limit their long-term competitiveness (ala Japan) but it does tend to make getting the social indicators down easier.
