Sir Moir Lockhead is chief executive of FirstGroup, yet another British firm that is derided at home but is in fact doing rather well abroad.

ECONOMIST: The man who took the bus from Aberdeen to America

The idea that these and some 30 other behaviour patterns are cultural rather than genetic was supported by the fact that particular sub-species (which differ from one another genetically) are not associated with particular behaviours.

ECONOMIST: Chimpanzee behaviour: Culture club | The

The fact that most Arab states rely on oil revenues rather than the taxation of consenting citizens is another oft-cited cause.

ECONOMIST: Arab democracy