Preface: There always exceptions, but many of those are due to harassment of the imperialism,not the failure of the country. This statement is made against the imperialist and it's benefactors, not the victims.

Lands can be made to grow without importing massive amounts of fertilizers. Countries can develop energy infrastructure without constant oil imports. Countries can become self sustaining if they cared to. These countries have become laggard and gluttonous off of the ease of global trade and imperialism.