I have been thinking about this topic for a while now. People who genuinely care about countries in the Global South and want to see them thrive often hit a wall because the path to modernization is incredibly complex. If a reform-minded leader managed to get into a position of power in a developing nation today, what exactly should their blueprint be?

Historically, we have seen vastly different approaches. Does a leader need to consolidate power and force through state-led industrialization, similar to the command economies of the mid-20th century? Or should they rely on free-market capitalism, relying heavily on private finance and foreign investment?

Furthermore, how does a modern developing nation handle civilian dissent during the growing pains of rapid industrialization? Must a government strictly manage or suppress dissent to maintain economic stability—similar to the highly industrialized but strict models seen historically in places like Singapore or modern China?…