The differences between the two nations are vast.
1. They have a 98% literacy rate, we have a 55% literacy rate. This is very important because literate people are able to research, learn, understand, innovate. Illiterate people aren't able to do any of that. They're easy to manipulate and control. What is even more important is that thier education system actually encourages critical thinking rather than rote learning. This means the average educated citizen is able to look at things beyond face value, if they should commit the time to do so.
2. They had an Empire. With Empire comes a sense of pride, dignity, and sense of entitlement. They can aspire to achieve a high degree of success. We don't have those political role models. Success is not in the fabric of our culture, survival is. Its a shame because we are better than that, but the predominant culture is about living day to day, not about achieving big.
3. They have a greater sense of nationalism. We pick fault with our own children - demeaning themwe tear down heroes, fracture into the smallest factions we can.