The decades-old war on poverty and authoritarianism in the poor
countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America has produced more
disappointment and frustration than it has victories. The deprivation
and despair that prevailed in the mid-twentieth century persist in
most of these countries, even a decade after capitalism’s ideological
triumph over socialism. Where democratically elected chiefs of state
have displaced traditional authoritarian regimes, a pattern most
notable in Latin America, the experiments are fragile, and
“democracy” often means little more than periodic elections.
What explains the persistence of poverty and authoritarianism? Why
have they proven so intractable? Why have no countries in Africa,
Asia and Latin America other than the East Asian dragons made their
way into the elite group of affluent countries? The conventional
diagnoses that have been offered during the past half
century–exploitation, imperialism, education and know-how
shortfalls, lack of opportunity, lack of capital, inadequate markets,
weak institutions–are demonstrably inadequate. The crucial element
that has been largely ignored is the cultural: that is to say, values
and attitudes that stand in the way of progress. Some cultures, above
all those of the West and East Asia, have proven themselves more
prone to progress than others. Their achievements are reiterated when
their peoples migrate to other countries, as in the cases of the
British in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; and
the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans, who have flourished wherever they
have migrated.
