Cleptocracies exist. Systematic diversion of state and aid resources to personal accounts is a real and persistent problem in many parts of the world. To not ac

Cleptocracies exist. Systematic diversion of state and aid resources to personal accounts is a real and persistent problem in many parts of the world. To not acknowledge that out of fear of appearing neo-colonialist is, I think, misguided. Certainly North America and Europe (I assume that's what you meant by "we") have corruption issues, especially with deferred bribes in the form of industry appointments, and contract money flowing to well-connected companies. But that's decidedly different than seeing large percentages of tax revenue ending up as personal property, or state industries like telecoms being awarded as personal fiefdoms to cronies, who then use revenues like a piggy bank. "Political correctness" is not a dirty word in my vocabulary -- I usually see it as sensitivity or tact -- but censoring our appraisal of corrupt governments because there are elements of corruption in the west, out of fear we'll be accused of hypocrisy or colonialism, is not helpful.