One of the countries that could most gain
When talking about "countries" you always have to distinguish between government/elite and population. Same in the US - doesn't matter what helps the majority. They're not making the decisions.
This is what convinces me that the ruling elite are particularly short-sighted.
Yes, you can be stinking rich by oppressing the masses and keeping them poor. On the other hand, you can not oppress them and be almost as stinking rich while being able to access the output of a much more productive workforce. And not have to worry about revolutions quite as much.
FWIW, the west is the closest to what you described out of nearly any other bloc of civilizations in the history of the world.