I think right kind of thinking can make and unmake a country or community. Places like Dubai, Singapore and even post WWII Japan/Korea were at terrible states. But they grew upto become giants in world economy.

Argentina sed to be one of the richest countries in the world too.
https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21596582-one-hundred-years-ago-argentina-was-future-what-went-wrong-century-decline
http://whynationsfail.com/blog/2012/4/20/whats-the-matter-with-argentina.html