What will make SOMALIA great! The middle class values are todays gold mines and oil wells

Was watching an interesting debate on CNN IBN (the Indian affiliate of CNN) on the rising Indian middle class. A wide ranging one , on middle class values, who is middle class caste etc

Interesting question "who or what is the middle class"?

The middle class cannot be defined by what products they own? e.g. Do you have drive an expensive car to work, or do you ride the train ? What they own is less significant than their attitudes are about what they can own.

The middle class is that section of society that believes it has the power to change its own destiny. The vast majority of the poor simply see it as their lot in life or in their unfortunately in their ignorance fail to appreciate how much difference hard work and education can make. The vast majority of the rich think they have the divine right to their fortunes. E.g Manu Sharma .. need I say more!

The middle class knows, has seen numerous examples each day, that by the dint of honest hard work - all is possible. So endless optimism. But requires effort and patience. so perseverance.

This breeds the values of honesty, hard work. They know they need help to get there. So respect for the others. They know they have few chances and must maximise any chance that they get. So respect for the law, as they cannot get away with stuff that the rich can.

In the essence it is not very different from the values that made America, great. The land of the possibilities, where who you were mattered less than what you could do. America had no history of grandees, no privileged elite, and is largely a self made nation. The middle class in essence is a self made class. Believes in Calvinist ideals that made America great!

What will make India or China or for that matter SOMALIA great are these values. And wildly successful examples that encourage others, more Narayanan Murthies and less Shibu Sorens! Not endless diamond mines or oil wells. Well if you need further proof compare the economic progress of Japan or even Israel (No gold, no oil but endless hard work & optimism) to that of South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

All that a government needs to do is therefore build the foundations for this middle class to thrive. 100% literacy, World class Universities, and an efficient system of justice is all we need. These are the modern creators of wealth! The oil wells and gold mines of the future!