[crazygringo]

I've noticed the same. Someone once explained it to me that many European countries have a cultural acceptance/expectation of a strong centralized state (France, Germany, etc.), which implies strong norms where strong punishment is therefore legitimate/expected.

In contrast, the US was founded in rebellion, and has a cultural acceptance/expectation of a weak state, preferably de-centralized (federal). Rural independence and freedom is more highly valued, so governmental norms/regulations are always seen as slightly suspect/illegitimate. People prefer fines/punishments for "breaking government rules" to be more of a slap on the wrist, because it's more accepted to see what you can get away with, without the government catching you.

(But keep in mind this is really only in the realm of "regulation", like in this case, or in speed limits, etc. Violent crime is a whole other story, where the culture is far more punitive.)

[krapp]

There are numerous problems with this thesis, not the least of which being that all of America's ideas about a weak state and personal liberty originated in Europe (particularly Revolutionary France,) and the current Federal model of government under the Constitution was an attempt to centralize authority after the failure of government under the Articles of Confederation.

[acjohnson55]

I'm not an expert on this, but I'm pretty sure Germany has a federal model, similar to the US.