Part 4/10:
Take the examples of Barbados and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Barbados, with its colonial past and the legacy of slavery that concentrated wealth among a few plantation owners, faced significant challenges. However, post-independence, the country invested in education and restructured its institutions, leading to gradual economic recovery and development.
In stark contrast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo—rich in natural resources yet plagued by systemic corruption and extractive governance—still struggles to capitalize on its wealth. Despite possessing diamonds, gold, and copper, the state has largely failed to convert these resources into broad-based prosperity, showcasing how deep-seated institutional failures can devastate an economy.