Words like “independence” or “self-reliance” are disappearing quickly, primarily due to urbanization. Too many people want everything done for them by someone else, but they don’t want to pay for it.
While Third World countries have many problems, they also have populations that expect nothing from their governments - and pay nothing for them.
That’s one reason a cowboy in the American west in the 19th century earned an average of $40 a month (+ room and board) and did just fine.
In a culture where you make your own stuff and grow your own food - and there are no property taxes - it doesn’t take much money to live.
Sacre Bleu!!! Cheese eaters , that is. The French are slaves to their government and will never give up their 35 hour work week. The communists run the country for now until the islamists boot them out. Roquefort on demand! as well as the cake they will eat with it. Such a pitiful society. I wonder when the Eiffel Tower will be deemed anti something or other and the Arc de Triomphe will become a national disgrace. De Gaulle would be proud since that was the only emotion he ever felt, even though he was a complete a-hole, nose and all, front to back.