https://www.thoughtco.com/singapores-economic-development-1434565 Too many so called nations seeking independence are nothing more than powerful extended families (I call them the 2000 members of the elite) who manage to get international recognition. The World Bank and other institutions finance their nation building, their elites get educated in western nations and come to occupy every positions in government and in global institutions. However, behind the facade of it all, the same families are hoarding the funds, laundered through partnerships with foreign businesses to "develop" their nation's ressources all the while living lavish lifestyles. Little is done to build a nation, everything is done to enrich enough people to maintain power. 2/3 of Central and South America fit that model and almost all of Africa. Singapore stands alone because instead of hoarding the funds and concentrating wealth, the benevolent dictator Lee Kuan Yew built a nation that in less than 30 years became one of the world's richest.