Being a safer (= better ?) pilot has more to do with currency and skills than with theoretical knowledge. I'm happy with the "story behind things" I got during the study.
But it's a choice you as an individual make. I think there is a big difference in saying that the EASA IR reqs are waaaay over the top for a PPL/IR and the fact that some people prefer a "need to know"-course and spend their time rather on practice than on study.
But it's true that I can't tell the difference in reality between FAA and EASA-rated pilots.