These lists are produced by those who believe there's a meritocratic explanation why the wealth of the world is unevenly divided.

I'm sure the people (roughly half the world's population) who survive on less than a dollar a day would debate whether they are spending money on toys, lacking self-control, wasting their money on tobacco, booze and gambling, don't have any ambition, or any of the other reasons given for not being rich.

Of course, none of us believe the poorest of the poor are in that position because of their own mistakes. We know it's because of corrupt politicians, war, and financial systems that are skewed in favour of the rich nations.

It's strange why we would then believe that the poor in our own countries don't suffer disadvantages. Maybe it's reassuring for everyone to believe that the rich have earned their wealth, and the poor are stupid or lazy. The alternative is that we are passively endorsing an unfair system.

--comrade nij ;)
http://all-abroad.blogspot.com/