Why does Putin's country not work?

The usual explanations of why countries don't work range from poverty through lack of education to corruption.

None of these appear to be true for Russia.

The people are intelligent, higly educated, charning and hard working.

The country is relatively uncorrupt (whatever corruption exists takes place at high levels and does not appear to affect everyday life).

There are of course lots of poor people, but the country is rich - for example, it has spent a vast amount of money in renovatiing the city of St Petersburg. While not all other cities have been so renovated, I am sure that is not because there is lack of money.

So I don't know the answer to the question I have raised. I am just puzzled. Sphere: Related Content