What defines a ‘s---hole country’?

A friend of mine, who happens to be an immigrant to the United States, asked me, “Where are you from?” I thought he intended to ask where I had been that day, so I responded “Oh, I’m just coming from my home, going to run some errands.” I should have known better, his English is generally more precise than mine. He clarified, “No, where are you from? Are you from an s----hole country?” We both laughed. But I have frequently thought about this question ever since: What qualifies a country for such an assignation?

For a start, what if a country’s spending on public education is paltry compared to its military “defense” outlays? Ditto for a government’s investment in science, housing and urban development, and energy/environmental protection combined? If a significant percentage of the population experiences “food insecurity”, i.e. real hunger? If people with mental illnesses are imprisoned with violent, predatory criminals or sleep on the streets, in alleys and under bridges? If a very small number of individuals with “insider” status hold the vast majority of the country’s wealth?

What about the prevalence of racial and ethnic conflict and discrimination in a country? And the undermining of the foundations of democratic principles and institutions? If such situations are promulgated by the country’s leaders? If bald-face, divisive lies are fed by leaders to the populace, is it likely to be in or slipping into “s---hole country” status?

So, after sober reflection my response to my immigrant friend is “Maybe so!”

This story was originally published January 23, 2018 at 11:39 PM with the headline "What defines a ‘s---hole country’?."