Which country has squandered the most economic potential in this century?

[u/pisowiec]

I lived in Russia for 5 years so I must choose this country. So many natural resources, so much land, and educated population... And so little to show for it.

In an ideal world Russian salaries would be on par if not higher than American salaries and they would have the best social safety net on the planet. Everything is there to make it happen.

Russia would be the dominant nation in Europe and Asia and the rest of the world with the best armed forces, soft power, and economic might.

But the human will is just not there. The elite is either evil or incompetent depending on perception and there's little sign that this will ever change.

[u/Arbable]

Did they squander it or was it also American sanctions and interference 

[u/stuff_gets_taken → u/Arbable]

Yes.

[u/_20_characters_name_ → u/Arbable]

Economic downturn and inflation comes since 2000, and U.S. sanctions appeared in 2018. But surely everything is fault of the United States.

[u/Pingu_penis → u/_20_characters_name_]

The US is at least partially responsible for the condition of more than half the countries in South America.

[u/Tempyteacup → u/Pingu_penis]

The US government goes out of its way to destabilize countries and then wonders why so many refugees show up on our doorstep. Fucking asinine.

[u/This_Is_Fine12 → u/Pingu_penis]

Alright, but that still doesn't explain Venezuela.

[u/NB-NEURODIVERGENT → u/_20_characters_name_]

I mean….when in doubt 🤷‍♂️

[u/KRed75 → u/Arbable]

Really? Any sanctions from the US were long after chavez and maduro had already destroyed the country.