[fhayek]

Sh*thoe countries do not become that way by themselves. There is something in the political system, something in the economic system, something in the culture that creates these conditions.

[ek_hornbeck]

Sh*thoe countries do not become that way by themselves. There is something in the political system, something in the economic system, something in the culture that creates these conditions.

Some countries are sh*tholes for purely institutional reasons - North Korea is a case in point. The Korean people and culture are the same as the ones in prosperous and modern South Korea.

Other countries are sh*tholes due to lack of quality human capital. It doesn't matter what form of government or economic system you impose, they're going to be basketcases. Haiti would be Haiti whether it's ruled by Communists or by Anti-Communists.