Poverty is miraculous. Ghastly, but miraculous, and perhaps the most extraordinary accomplishment of most modern governments. Poor countries are the world's true "economic miracles", not post-war Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Botswana or Mauritius. Prosperity in such countries is no "miracle". It is the natural outcome of relative economic freedom. If there are "economic miracles", they are backward countries, where governments have succeeded in preventing prosperity. India, like South Africa, is a nation of manifestly energetic, resourceful and enterprising people. If left alone, they would prosper. This was confirmed when India implemented modest pro-market reforms. The country was rewarded with one of the world's highest growth rates.
