We can generalize that everybody has debts, rich and poor alike. As one's wealth grows so are his/her expenses. I think this is basically the same with countries. When a country gets rich, it can afford to do and provide a lot of things. That means its expenses also grow. It can provide quality and free education, healthcare, and so on. It can build all kinds of infrastructures. It can provide incentives to businesses and to its citizens. It can continuously upgrade its military. It can even spend much on other countries.
In other words, there's always a reason to spend more than what's earned. So, there's debt. To rich economies, add to it the fact that they are highly capable of borrowing. They can have massive amounts of debts because of their paying capacity. So, they have the luxury to borrow. But the economy isn't strong all the time. Sometimes it weakens. It fluctuates. And then there are irresponsible administrations that just squander money mindlessly. The end will always be a ballooning debt.
Debt, debt, debt - it's a word that connects with everyone, doesn’t it? It appears to accompany everyone, rich or poor, nation or individual. You make a very compelling and, in many cases, correct point about the relationship between rising wealth and rising costs. Is it unavoidable that prosperity increases expenditure and debt?
Rich economies can borrow because they pay well. They spend, construct, give. Now, is it not risky to assume that spending more than earned is normal? Countries, especially affluent ones, can acquire large debts due to their ability to repay them. Should they always go that way?
Economies vary, and governments can waste money without planning. But shouldn't a strong economy operate with financial prudence, making sure its debts are sustainable and used to boost growth? A tricky balance, right? Balance spending, debt, and giving/wasting.
It's probably not entirely unavoidable, but rich and poor nations and individuals alike are more inclined to borrow than not. To a poor country, to support its needs. To a rich country, to support its dreams.
If a country is debt-free, it can plan to do a whole lot of things. It can be generous in providing tax exemptions to investors. It can provide a lot of free services to its citizens. Hell, it can even try to be powerful and build up a strong and highly-equipped military and join other wars and bully other countries. It can assert influence within the region or the entire world by giving out aids and assistance. It can support other countries' projects and programs.
If you're a president, you probably don't care that your country is debt-free; you care that you left grand projects and programs that make people fondly remember you. Every president's ulterior goal is to build a selfish legacy.
It's indeed tricky to create balance. Regardless, they all borrow. Even the countries with the highest GDP per capita, those that have huge reserves; they all have debts. Luxembourg, Singapore, Ireland, Norway, Qatar all have debts.