The difference between the poor and rich nations

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The difference between the poor and rich nations is not the age of the Nation. This can be demonstrated by countries like India and Egypt, which are more than 2000 years old and are still poor countries in comparison. On the other hand, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which 150 years back were insignificant, today are developed and rich countries.

The difference between the poor and rich nation does not also depend on the available natural resources. Japan has limited territory, 80% mountainous, unsuitable for agriculture or farming, but is the second in world’s economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw material from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Second example is Switzerland; it does not grow cocoa, but produces the best chocolates in the world. In her small territory she rears animals and cultivates the land only for four month in a year, nevertheless manufactures the best milk products. A small country which is an image of security which has made it the strongest world bank.

Executives from rich countries who interact with their counterparts from poor countries show no significant intellectual differences.

The racial or colour factors also do not evince importance: migrants, unsuccessful and often heavy in laziness in their country of origin, are forcefully productive in rich European countries.

What then is the difference?

The difference is the attitude of the people, moulded for many years by education and culture. When we analyse the conduct of the people from the rich and developed countries, it is observed that a majority abide by the following principles of life:

1. Ethics, as basic principles, not religion.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. The respect for laws and regulations.
5. The respect from majority of citizens by right punctuality.
6. The will to work hard and be productive.
7. The effort to save and invest.
8. Common sense instead of following religious doctrine blindly.
9. Corruption is kept low, so it cannot drain the system.
10. Laws apply to everyone and are enforced regardless of a person's status.

In the poor countries a small minority follow these basic principles in their daily life. Africa is not poor because it lacks natural resources or because nature was cruel towards it. Africa is poor because it lacks attitude. It lacks the will to follow and teach these principles of working of rich and developed societies.

Africa is in this state because it wants to take advantage over everything and everyone. It is in this state because it sees something done wrong and says - “let it be”.
 It should have a spirited memory and attitude… only then will Africa be able to change the present state.

Original sources:
Augustine Boahen
Bärbel Klett