>>18: Poor examples; unlike Canada, those countries are tiny little dots on the map with little population and natural resources. And it is not only "gun-laden tomfoolery" I'm speaking of; just good ol' normal diplomacy would be nice. Many nations are currently in Iraq helping to rebuild the infrastructure whilst not firing a single bullet. And how can isolation lead to riches? You must at least trade with other nations for needed resources, if nothing else, if you wish to have a stable economy. I have no facts, but I'm pretty sure your four examples are at least trading with their neighbors, on the private level if not at the governmental level.