One could argue that the US is the richest country because of the way things are set up here, not in spite of it. Also, as another commented noted, it's not al

One could argue that the US is the richest country because of the way things are set up here, not in spite of it. Also, as another commented noted, it's not all roses in those other "modern economies" you mention: France, for example, with its subsidized healthcare system has a public debt equal to 117.8% of its GDP. The US's deficit amounts to 15.2% of GDP in contrast.