The reason is simple. When poor people in poor countries don't see a
realistic possibility that things get better for them, they hate those
for whom things are better. If things can't get better for them, they'd
at least like things to get worse, too, for those for whom until now,
things are better. This is based on very real feelings of revenge (which
are more genuine and direct than feelings of solidarity).
Now, in a poor democracy, as in any democracy, you will have
politicians who sense the sentiments of those for whom things are bad. They
promise revenge (though it may not be worded that way) ... and get elected
on this promise. A typical result is that more and more laws and
regulations are formulated that make things worse for those for whom things
are better, while being rather neutral for the rest.
One example are sexual regulations. Most poor men in poor countries are
monogamous .. rather out of necessity than choice. Therefore, laws that
restrict the sexual relationships of rich men are popular with those
who don't want others to have what they themselves anyway also cannot
have. (Women in poor countries are generally in favor of laws and
regulations that restrict sexual relationships of men, as their optimal
procreative strategies anyway are more monogamous than those of men.)
The trend is implemented most easily in Islamic countries. It is also
popular in countries where foreigners (sex tourists) come for easy
pickings.
When such a development takes off, it's a vicious circle. When
conditions for sexual satisfaction get worse, those who can afford it go
somewhere else, and take their money with them.
Those men with money to spend and to invest will probably not admit
this in public, but all by themselves (and without discussing this with a
wife or children), they will follow a trend to focus business
activities on countries where there also are easy or worthwhile sexual
opportunities.
Malaysian investments in Cambodia are a current example. A historic
example is Japan, where, in the early decades after World War II, Japanese
companies set up mistresses for foreign business partners, thus luring
them into focusing trade on that country.
