Everywhere we have tried nation building, whether in Afghanistan, Africa, the ME we have failed. Even after the application of billions and free and fair elections, true Democracy, peace and prosperity, has failed to take hold. The answer to our failure lies in our culture and how it evolved. Democracy evolved 2,500 years ago and was perfected in Athens, Greece. The explosion of human creativity, wealth, and military prowess has never been equaled. Our culture of 2,500 years was formed by 5 major factors. Democracy, Romanization, Christianity, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment. It appears there are few if any shortcuts or substitutes to cultural evolution.