It's not leading the way technically but for the end consumer it might be better. If I get charged unfairly my bank will tell me to go to the police. Americans can easily just refuse it.
Not if you use a credit card; a quick call to Visa/MC/Amex will get your money back instantly in Europe too.
The main difference is that, in Europe, debit cards are often used in the same way as a CC - except they are just a direct pipe to one's bank, and once the money comes down the pipe there is no easy way to push it back up.
