Why are rich countries rich and poor countries poor?

[TheCoinGrabber]

So I was just surfing the web during my downtime and the internet being a rabbit hole that it is, I realized I got to this page....  http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20010817233944data_trunc_sys.shtml

Having read Guns, Germs and Steel before (as well as watching the documentary on Youtube), I was really surprised that the difference can be attributed to simple things like frost.

This got me thinking, if you believe the poor countries are already locked in to their fate by the cards dealt them, does this mean they are blameless for their current situation? Did colonialism really messed them up or it simply exacerbated an existing problem? And how can poor countries overcome the challenges to becoming 1st-World?

[bitkilo]

Some of these poor afican countries like Sudan for instance have massive wealth in mineral assets like gold, diamonds, oil, timber ect but the western countries always stiff them on the deals and thats only if the leaders of these countries haven't stolen everything for themselfs and fled the country to live in luxury exile somewhere else.

[Okurkabinladin]

So I was just surfing the web during my downtime and the internet being a rabbit hole that it is, I realized I got to this page....  http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20010817233944data_trunc_sys.shtml

Having read Guns, Germs and Steel before (as well as watching the documentary on Youtube), I was really surprised that the difference can be attributed to simple things like frost.

This got me thinking, if you believe the poor countries are already locked in to their fate by the cards dealt them, does this mean they are blameless for their current situation? Did colonialism really messed them up or it simply exacerbated an existing problem? And how can poor countries overcome the challenges to becoming 1st-World?

Thats popular in secular liberal circles in the west. To teach youngsters what collective guilt is and to instill fear upon them. People are more obedient that way.

Even though some western european countries managed (due to many factors) to extert control over many continents for several generations - there were already vast differences between cultures around the world. Some places like Africa and Australia being firmly stuck in animism and stone age. Other, like Europe and middle East lagged behind east Asia for most of their history (and arguably again today).

I have to agree with you - if you are only concerned about material possesions, than indeed environment is paramount. Since the world is so incredibly globalized today, IQ of population is not as important as the prevailing culture (which includes work ethics).

Koreans easily outperform any african nation, regardless of the fact, that after civil war they had lower living standarts and relatively poor soil.

[xhomerx10]

*National IQ per country - estimates by Lynn and Vanhanen 2006

 I don't imagine one need look too much further for an explanation.

[Okurkabinladin]

XhomerX10,

quite the opposite is true, friend. That map, while quite plausible doesnt explain three things.

Why some people within the same IQ range outperform their peers (question of culture, which in the anglosaxon countries was shaped by protenstatism and later englightement).

Does IQ and environment influence culture and if so then how?

Why and how did such massive disparity in IQ formed in the first place, if we are supposed to be all members of same species, originating from EA and can interbreed.

[xhomerx10]

XhomerX10,

quite the opposite is true, friend. That map, while quite plausible doesnt explain three things.

Why some people within the same IQ range outperform their peers (question of culture, which in the anglosaxon countries was shaped by protenstatism and later englightement).

Does IQ and environment influence culture and if so then how?

Why and how did such massive disparity in IQ formed in the first place, if we are supposed to be all members of same species, originating from EA and can interbreed.

 So you are saying that a correlation exists but increased wealth improves IQ scores and not the other way around?  Interesting.  Honestly, I haven't studied this but it's something I should research.

 

[Sithara007]

*National IQ per country - estimates by Lynn and Vanhanen 2006

 I don't imagine one need look too much further for an explanation.

There are a lot of exceptions to this rule. The average IQ in the GCC nations such as Kuwait and Qatar is almost the same as the sub-Saharan African nations. Yet, the former group are some of the richest nations in the earth. Also look at Moldova, one of the poorest countries in earth. The IQ level there is almost the same as that of the US.

[Stariroy]

Some of these poor afican countries like Sudan for instance have massive wealth in mineral assets like gold, diamonds, oil, timber ect but the western countries always stiff them on the deals and thats only if the leaders of these countries haven't stolen everything for themselfs and fled the country to live in luxury exile somewhere else.

The big reason here is actually because their own governments are very corrupt and their political climate is not stable so no new investments can be coming in. Plus these people need more education but since the government is in disarray no one can be helping them. No country will exploit another country if the latter will not allow it. Peace and order must be first be restored on these places before any meaningful change can be achieved.

[mrcash02]

Easy to answer: Because the rich countrie's people are brave, have intelect and values to choose their leaders and will fight for their rights if necessary.

Poor countries have weak people, acting like mercenaries for any money, unable to think bigger, to think for the common convenience (thinking only in themselves). This results in corrupt leaders, dirty cities, misery and chaos.

[muffinbiller]

In my view, ' rich' or 'poor' status of any country can be defined in terms of economic progress and their economic laws of development and growth. Simply, the whole discussion can be summarized with following points:
1. Countries with higher rate of savings seem rich. And they have very nice investment policies.

2. The rate of population growth measures the rate of savings. When the population is growing high, then think about capital labour ratio.

3. Geography is always a beneficial factor of economy.

[Bitmedrano040117]

I do believed that that the country who is rich are those who are not greed or corrupt in the government. Because once there is a corrupt officials inside the government expect that there is a disadvantage to be happen in the end, and the result the country will suffer, but once the officials are not greed or corrupt expect, that nation will be progress for sure in the near future.

[Sithara007]

Easy to answer: Because the rich countrie's people are brave, have intelect and values to choose their leaders and will fight for their rights if necessary.

Poor countries have weak people, acting like mercenaries for any money, unable to think bigger, to think for the common convenience (thinking only in themselves). This results in corrupt leaders, dirty cities, misery and chaos.

Another important factor is demographics. In rich countries like Japan and Germany, the couples normally have only one or two children. But in the developed world (especially South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa), they produce children in the dozens.

[ImHash]

In regards to the map above it has some missing pieces such as immigration from countries to other countries. also worth to note that knowledge and wisdom is universal and not exclusive. it's not the people to blame but rather the governments.
This world is a game of thrones have great army then start occupying the best lands with the best resources and from there just expand your empire.
England or the great Britain has been manipulating the world for centuries, they are the same empire born from incest to keep the power in the same blood line.
Because powerful countries become powerful by bullying the weak, if you're weak you get bullied. tyrants/ usurpers/ BU/ Wu/ Hitler

[craked5]

*National IQ per country - estimates by Lynn and Vanhanen 2006

 I don't imagine one need look too much further for an explanation.

Yeah but that's why your IQ is probably around 60 even though the average one is higher xD

Only an idiot could believe it's a reason and not a consequence.

[HAARP]

The system is easy, whoever exploiting the other is rich; whoever is exploited by others is simply poor.

[kodes88]

I think a country that belongs to a poor country is caused by a high rate of corruption in that country. I'm sure corruption exists in every country, but not in large numbers. My country is a poor country and that is because of the huge amount of corruption. State finances are so unstable.

[7daystodie]

I think a country that belongs to a poor country is caused by a high rate of corruption in that country. I'm sure corruption exists in every country, but not in large numbers. My country is a poor country and that is because of the huge amount of corruption. State finances are so unstable.

Yes, corruption significantly worsens the financial situation of the country. We also have a big problem with this. And many more countries do not know how to properly use their resources to live with dignity.

[Xester]

So I was just surfing the web during my downtime and the internet being a rabbit hole that it is, I realized I got to this page....  http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20010817233944data_trunc_sys.shtml

Having read Guns, Germs and Steel before (as well as watching the documentary on Youtube), I was really surprised that the difference can be attributed to simple things like frost.

This got me thinking, if you believe the poor countries are already locked in to their fate by the cards dealt them, does this mean they are blameless for their current situation? Did colonialism really messed them up or it simply exacerbated an existing problem? And how can poor countries overcome the challenges to becoming 1st-World?

Third world countries have a hard time to become first world countries. The reason is simple it it because the first world countries are interfering with how the politics and economy in the third world country. The first world country sets up policies in the third world countries that will benefit them enabling them to harvest huge amount of resources while leaving the third world country but waste.

[Palmerson]

People are too much emphasis on IQ. I don't believe in the effectiveness of a universal approach to the human mind. I have a friend who is a very good scientist, but he is certainly not adapted to normal life. He is God in science and child on the street.

[ScriptYoYo]

People are too much emphasis on IQ. I don't believe in the effectiveness of a universal approach to the human mind. I have a friend who is a very good scientist, but he is certainly not adapted to normal life. He is God in science and child on the street.

Yes, there must be a balance in all spheres for a sense of a fulfilling life. I also have such an acquaintance and he is not able to take serious relationships in the street despite his age.