Culture better than globalization for ending poverty

Robert Samuelson writes on the supremacy of culture in overcoming poverty  in The Global Poverty Trap.

Comes now Gregory Clark, an economist who interestingly takes the side of culture. In an important new book, " A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World," Clark suggests that much of the world's remaining poverty is semi-permanent. Modern technology and management are widely available, but many societies can't take advantage because their values and social organization are antagonistic. Prescribing economically sensible policies (open markets, secure property rights, sound money) can't overcome this bedrock resistance.

Capitalism is a prodigious generator of wealth so long as the culture supports it.    Without that cultural support for patience, hard work, innovation and education and tolerance for change and inequality as well as a modicum of trust, societies cannot overcome their poverty even with globalization.

A good culture can make a country rich.