Entrenched corruption and an over-burdened judiciary mean that almost nothing gets done when it should.

ECONOMIST: Kenya

Add to that the entrenched corruption of the Princeling faction, and China is facing its toughest economic challenges in more than a decade.

FORBES: Thoughts on China

Under Mr Medvedev, Russia's system of crony capitalism, entrenched corruption, a powerful security service and the absence of any rule of law has continued unchecked.

ECONOMIST: The return of Vladimir Putin