> Countries don't just skip that stage in their evolution, short of some mythical utopia project, however much we might like to think they can.

However, countries cannot simply follow other countries' recipes for "success". Unbridled optimism hurts. Economic development (not to be confused with economic growth) is not an inevitable process. There are many pitfalls and it is a constant effort to stay on the path towards economic development to reach a point where you become a developed nation and can look forward to growth.

There is no simple blue print for guaranteed success. What worked for South Korea might not work for Bangladesh.