[AndrewPGameDev]

I was writing up a large comment with sources to rebut the claims, but I think I'll wait to finish it until I can save it as a blogpost and reply with it every time I see this type of argument being made.

Basically, the USA essentially disproves the idea that nationwide GDP is the most important factor in standards of living. US share of world GDP has been relatively constant, world GDP has increased dramatically, but American life has not improved dramatically (although it has improved more than what most people think).

Instead of singularly focusing on wealth, nation-building programs should focus on the broader idea of (re)building the social contract. In the Balkans that means building an environment where modern capitalism can effectively take place. In America that means rebuilding trust in institutions and building a better safety net for poor citizens. Often this involves what amounts to a direct wealth transfer from the rich to the poor, as this all has a cost and the rich are the only ones who are even capable of paying for it in the first place.