Why are some nations rich and others poor?
The answer might surprise you.
Greetings Prosperous Souls,
Did you know that isolation leads to poverty? In Wealth, Poverty, and Politics, Thomas Sowell argues this fact when he tackles the question: “Why are some nations rich and others poor?”
Many pundits today attribute wealth disparities to exploitation and theft. But is prosperity really due to conquerors stealing resources from the conquered? According to Sowell, the answer is no.
He claims that isolation, not exploitation, is the driving force behind poverty. Whether caused by geography, war, or cultural self-imposition, isolation forces nations to lag behind. But why? Consider this passage from Sowell:
“A larger cultural universe is important… because people seeing repeatedly how things have been done differently by others in different places can break through the normal human inertia that keeps people doing the same things in the same familiar ways, for generations or even centuries...”
In summary, if you’re not exposed to people who are smarter, happier, and more advanced than you, it’s impossible to grow. Sowell continues:
“When the Spaniards conquered the isolated Canary Islands in the fifteenth century, they took over people of a Caucasian race, living much as people had lived in the Stone Age. Similarly, when the British discovered the isolated Australian aborigines in the eighteenth century. In other isolated settings as well, whether in distant mountain villages or deep in tropical jungles, peoples have been found living as others had lived in earlier centuries or millennia.”
In Sowell’s words, isolation locks people outside of human innovation. So, don’t self-isolate unless you want to lag behind.
Your Homework for This Week
Think about ways you can avoid isolation. Are there groups or communities you can learn from? Take a few minutes to pray and see if God wants you to connect with someone with the intention to grow.
This might mean you need to join a Bible study, an entrepreneur’s club, or sign up for a few mailing lists. Whatever you choose, make sure it allows you to rub shoulders with people who are further along than you in some area. Even small changes in this direction will yield much fruit.
God bless your Prosperous Soul,
Stephen K. De Silva
About: Stephen K. De Silva is an author, speaker, and financial coach. From 1995 until 2017, he served as the CFO of Bethel Church, and a member of the senior leadership team. Stephen’s blend of experience, training, and gifting make him a pioneer in the subject of money. You can reach Stephen at hello@prosperoussoul.com