Another Chicken and Egg Problem

In comparing nations, all good things seem to go together. Not only do rich countries have better health and education. more productive industry, and better infrastructure, they also tend to have institutions more conducive to allowing a good life of citizens such as rule of law, high levels of trust, more participatory government, and better governance. The question is, which comes first?

During the Cold War there was a discussion as to whether social rights preceded human rights, based in some part by political systems that held that authoritarian rule was more conducive to economic progress.

The Bush administration appears to have believed for some time that political changes to empower people to elect their government would be an effective way to improve overall national situations. On the other hand, there seems to be growing concern that the experience in important countries will be "one person, one vote, one time".

I wonder whether the leading sector may not be cultural. Is it not likely that an educated population, with an active civil society and high levels of trust created by controlled corruption and strong rule of law, will be both better governed and economically successful?