What are laws like in other countries? Serious

I'm wondering what laws are like in other countries (relative to the US). Of course, they will differ greatly depending on which country you are referring to. Let's say, France for example. What kind of protections do you actually have there legally, in terms of your financial assets and such? What about Italy? What about South America? Could you just move there one day and live basically the same as you would in the US? (Assuming you were in a high end area)