I get that "banana republic" is often used to describe corrupt countries, but this overlooks the fact that much of the corruption was imposed by foreign powers,

I get that "banana republic" is often used to describe corrupt countries, but this overlooks the fact that much of the corruption was imposed by foreign powers, particularly the United Fruit Company with the backing of the U.S. government. These countries didn’t choose corruption; they were often forced into it through military intervention, economic pressure, and violence. The United Fruit Company, with U.S. support, orchestrated coups (like in Guatemala in 1954), suppressed labor movements (e.g., the 1928 Banana Massacre in Colombia), and funded paramilitary groups. The so-called "corruption" was largely a result of foreign exploitation, not internal failings. So, when you say "banana republic level corruption," you're actually talking about imperialist practices imposed by the U.S.—the very first-world country you’re wondering about. Sources: - Banana giant held liable for funding paramilitaries: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pprpd3x96o https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pprpd3x96o - The Dark Side of Bananas: Imperialism, Non-State Actors, and Power: https://hir.harvard.edu/the-dark-side-of-bananas-imperialism-non-state-actors-and-power/ https://hir.harvard.edu/the-dark-side-of-bananas-imperialism...