Yes, it probably is, but 'special' are in a way probably also the countries which had 40 years of communism, the ones like Ireland, which were long rather poor and then had exploding growth, the ones like Switzerland profiting from tax evasion of other countries,...
There maybe over 200 different countries in the world, which may have nearly as much different histories...

However, today even when taking more from the very rich is feasible, it would be an illusion to think one can help all the weaker people in the society without a large contribution of those who are just rich, but not the very rich.

Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den Menschen
Volker Pispers