Indeed. Corruption is pretty much endemic in these countries, at least partially because the idea of nationalism hasn't really sunk in. These aren't third-world countries, either, Mexico, India, and the like are the so-called "Second World".
The problem is that the attitude of "My clan/family/tribe is more important than my nation" is endemic. Cronyism is the name of the day, and power exists to serve the clan before the good of the nation. Someone who gets a high-level job and doesn't use it to provide cushy sinecures for his less-capable-but-still-ambitious relatives is looked at as being, not civic-minded, but dangerously insane, because he won't support his family when he has the ability to.
Add in the fact that many of them still honestly believe that they are nobles lording it over peasants, and that they -deserve- it by virtue of birth...
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.
The problem is that the attitude of "My clan/family/tribe is more important than my nation" is endemic. Cronyism is the name of the day, and power exists to serve the clan before the good of the nation. Someone who gets a high-level job and doesn't use it to provide cushy sinecures for his less-capable-but-still-ambitious relatives is looked at as being, not civic-minded, but dangerously insane, because he won't support his family when he has the ability to.
Add in the fact that many of them still honestly believe that they are nobles lording it over peasants, and that they -deserve- it by virtue of birth...
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.