Here is a collection of links that support the idea, for my own future reference.
http://www.economist.com/node/109387
https://research.hks.harvard.edu/publications/getFile.aspx?Id=782
http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/17/how-small-countries-out-perform-a-guide-spoiler-its-a-lot-like-startups/
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/may/04/comment.eu
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-ward/the-path-to-better-politi_b_6089416.html
http://www.thefinancialist.com/how-to-be-small/
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100255422/proof-at-last-eurocrats-secretly-admit-that-countries-are-better-off-out/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCNd7h0fsdE