Are countries poor because of politics & economics, or could it be cultural?

Question

What is your opinion? Most people say that it is because of corruption, dictatorship, or exploitation, but could it be possible that these are symptoms of the cultural environment (lack of responsibility, work ethic, etc.)? Or is it something different?

Answer 1

Culture oftentimes caused corruption, anarchy, dictatorship or violence. People with tolerance are oftentimes exploited by abusive leaders.

Answer 2

There are some elements of poverty that are cultural, but its more how history treated those cultures. Africa is a great example of this, where the history of grouping cultures together failed pretty miserably. These cultures historically did not get along and giving them a country and telling them to govern together was a mistake.

But most causes of poverty in the third world is more politically and economically related. Both good politics and sound economic policy is necessary to develop as a nation. Neither can succeed alone. A good example of this succeeding is South Korea. It developed a strong economy under a stable political scheme, which although it wasn't a democracy, it at least gave it the stability to grow. Then, after the economy grew and the people grew wealthier, they demanded more freedoms, and a democracy developed.

But without good economics, or at least something the rest of the world wants, and political stability, there is no growth and poverty ensues. The Middle East has oil and money flowing in, but the politics don't allow for proper growth. In parts of Latin America, there are stable governments, but the rest of the world choses not to trade with them. And in most of Africa, there is no government or economics.

Answer 3

I'm sure I'll get yelled at by someone for saying this, but yes, I think that SOME countries contribute to their own poverty.

Morocco is a great example. While I can't really say what the country was like before it was a French protectorate (1912-1956), I can tell you what it's like now.

Since the French left in the 1950s, it seems that what the average Moroccan has done is complain about colonization, complain about the government, and sit around and drink tea or coffee. The country has a 20% unemployment rate, and instead of starting business or nonprofit organizations to help people, the unemployed just sit around and complain.

Not to mention - one of the country's biggest moneymakers is tourism. Yet, tourists constantly complain of being ripped off by Moroccan shopkeepers, treated like crap by Moroccan men, hit on, sexually harrassed, and the list goes on...If you know your country's biggest hope for getting out of poverty is tourism (which most Moroccans do seem to know), then why would you push the tourists away?

It's a beautiful country and I love it here, but I think that symptoms of its cultural environment contribute to its financial situation.

Answer 4

Probably a mixture of both factors.
Some countries are definitely poor because of dictators (ie - Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe).
But others are most definitely poor because of their country's culture, not because they are lazy or whatever, but because they may hold different values. Like some nations may favour family and friends over working full time and money.

But to be honest, I think most countries are poor because of economics and politics.

Answer 5

The puritans got here right here to get removed from England's non secular persecution, as quickly as right here, they proceeded to the two kill or convert the godless savages they encountered. i might advise it stems from those roots. I even have come to the top that each and every physique prepared religions are in various stages, evil. i assumed Iraq became all approximately oil, i'm now confident our president is pitting his god against the muslims god and area of this conflict in Iraq is definitely approximately non secular ideals. plenty killing interior the call of god over the centuries by using human beings twisting their non secular ideals. President Bush even suggested he spoke to an stronger potential than his very own father formerly 'liberating' Iraq. those non secular every physique is so christian like they hate absolutely everyone else not of their very own non secular ideals. I say extra spirituality and much less faith.

Answer 6

What do you mean poor? Modern U. S. standards? The main reason is interference. World economy, colonialists, armies, missionaries etc., etc. Industrialized countries know what's best and will do anything to prove it.

Answer 7

In my opinion, inequality is caused by hierarchical systems such as government. Also, lack of environmental resources to boost their industry doesn't help.

Answer 8

i think it is all of them because if it's a countries culture to live a cerain way it could effect the economy and polititcs

Answer 9

It's more than one or two things....that's why poverty is so hard to overcome.

Answer 10

They pray to the wrong god........hey, you asked my opinion and that is what it is.
BTW....There is only one God.