do you think culture influences the economic development of a nation?

Answer 1

Of course it does. Culture determines what the marketplace will be like, both in raw materials and finished goods, both in buying and selling. And to a large extent, culture has an influence on how effectively a nation can compete in the world market. For example, if native art work is exported, are there people who feel that is sacriligious, and raise a protest? They know that when it gets to the United States, for example, it will be treated as merely decorative, and not sacred.

Culture also determines the travel into and out of a nation. A hospitable nation which accommodates tourists and students and other visitors well is very different economically from one that expresses hostility or indifference. If your customs are different from the US and Western Europe on such things as sleeping arrangements and hygiene, food and clothing, you will need to include "western style" hotels in order to accept many guests from those areas. We are not good at what we consider "roughing it" for the most part, although there are the adventurous among us.

To really be developed economically, most nations need a good bit of international business contact. This means, generally, that those who speak English are going to be able to rise further in commerce. If your culture resents such international contacts, and condemns people who "go western," it will not prosper by that method. If you isolate those few who sell raw materials, for example, you will put most of the money and power in their hands.

Yes, culture changes everything.