[mc32]

Vestiges of feudalism is a big factor in all those examples, including Russia and Ukraine. China was very feudal too, till the republic --and then became a satellite to Japan and back to a Communist feudal system and back out. Chile, Uruguay not so feudal.

Systems that retained vestiges of feudalism and were late to adopt industrialization suffer. But things can turn around quickly, if the countries pursue a strategy that works for them.

Myanmar/Burma is one such place. They could quickly industrialize or they could waste their opportunity --it's up to them. We'll see.