>> But in countries with deeply unstable economies and authoritarian politics, it is a lifeline. Or a crutch. It may be allowing some countries to stagger alo

>> But in countries with deeply unstable economies and authoritarian politics, it is a lifeline. Or a crutch. It may be allowing some countries to stagger along with support of a grey/black market rather than collapse, wipe out debts, and install new leadership. And it may be the worst type of crutch: one that you trust to hold you up but will one day snap and injure you worse than before.