Dickson Igwe. Photo: VINO/File

OK. Ask yourself the following questions.

Why do some countries have everything in terms of natural and human resources, and well educated populations, yet remain poor, underdeveloped, and violent?

Why would you NOT think of your daughter or son marrying into a foreign culture that does not “mesh,” or that is not in harmony with your own culture and belief system?

Would you travel to a region where your wife or daughter would not be allowed to drive, and where the ugly part of chauvinism, also known as misogyny, was acceptable? Or visit a country where the possibility of getting blown up by a suicide bomber was exponentially greater than anywhere else? Would you want to live in anarchy, where the local strongman decided your access to food, water, shelter, safety, even matrimony?

Why is it that countries that practice democracy, and that possess value systems that are compassionate and tolerant of minorities, do better than authoritarian states in terms of economy and society? Is it chance that transparent and free democracies tend to be much more prosperous than dictatorships. China is trying to buck that trend. However, it appears that today, even China is waking up to the fact that it cannot ignore the western value system that states that freedom and democracy are the best path to economic growth and social prosperity.

Why do a number of countries appear to tolerate corruption and nepotism to a far greater extent than most other countries? This is especially so in African and Middle Eastern states. And why do these countries do so poorly in terms of quality and standard of living metrics?

Then observe countries that place women in servitude, and that treat them as “chattels” to be hidden away. And those countries that practice genital mutilation; or countries that have no regard for the welfare of children, and that have no respect for human life.  Most of these countries are poor, war torn, and increasingly threats to global stability, safety, and security. They may be propped up by largesse from a natural resource boon such as oil; but that only lasts a while.

The migrant crisis in Europe is also a values crisis. Migrants flee countries that are authoritarian dictatorships. They flee the poverty, war, and death that dictatorships frequently breed. But in reality they flee a values system that they are part and parcel of.

That is why one cannot blame the reluctance of countries such as Hungary and Czechoslovakia for not wanting migrants from certain countries, and migrants who practice certain religions and belief systems from entering their territories: in other words people with a different set of values.

The fact is this, countries that possess a value system that respects the rule of law; that possess institutions that protect women, children, minorities, and the disabled; that respect and cherish a healthy natural environment and ecology; and that do not tolerate lightly corruption and nepotism; do a lot better socially and economically, than their counterparts that do none of these things.

When the majority of a country’s population possesses a value system that prizes compassion, good and proper ethics, transparent governance, hospitality, and tolerance, then, that distinct value system is a much greater pointer to whether or not that country will succeed socially and economically.

The culture and values of a country or society are intangible, invisible. But they are also supremely powerful in determining the social, political, and economic trajectory.

The character of a nation is often more important than what resources a nation possesses in terms of its economy. The value system is more important for short, medium, and long term prosperity, and social progress. Conversely, a value system that opposes the universal values and ideals stated in the preceding sentence usually leads to conflict, instability, war, poverty, and disease.

Most Caribbean countries are little more than sea, sand, and small islands, then throw in year round sunshine. However, most West Indians are urbane, and freedom loving. Caribbean culture is colorful and musical. West Indians are also a very tolerant and laid back lot. Add these together and one gets the character of the region.

It is the West Indian flavor tourists and visitors find most attractive, not necessarily the beautiful geography. A traveler to the Caribbean will find harmony and safety in most parts of the region, and that is part of his or her travel package. These attributes primarily derive from the values the islands possess.

A country’s values precede a country’s culture. Culture comes from the value system. Culture is language, taste, nuance, dress, religion and belief. The value system is the crucible that forges a country’s culture. Culture and values are more critical to economic and social progress than what can be found under the earth. Values give significance. Values determine social parameters and boundaries. Values decide ethics. Values even decide philosophy.

The type of culture and value system a country possesses determines the character, and social and economic welfare of that country. Without an effective, wholesome, and appropriate value system everything ultimately “goes up in smoke.”

Values can be universal. Countries can adopt new sets of values and discard values that are outdated and useless. But this depends on a country’s leaders, and a population that is willing to change for the better. For example, the Arab Spring promised to bring the Middle East into a global community ruled by the values of freedom and a culture of democracy.

However, reactionary forces, some authoritarian, and some fundamentalist, that fought against this change, plunged the region into even deeper turmoil. Today much of the Middle East is on fire.

Yes. This Old Boy prefers to live in a free, urbane, and compassionate society, albeit with limited economic resources, than in a bloody dictatorship, floating on oil.

Connect with Dickson Igwe on Facebook and Twitter