These two aggrieved ethnic groups led the war against Doe, which plunged Liberia into chaos and destruction. Both sides went after the civilian population, each side accusing other ethnic groups of supporting the other. In Liberia, most people enter public service not because they have a burning desire to serve their country and fellow citizens. They do so primarily as a means to economically sustain themselves, government being biggest employer in the country. And people within the system often try to entrench themselves in power, which is a recipe for abuse and corruption.
Political power means wealth in Liberia.
Those who control it live ostentatious lifestyle while the rest of the people are left to the whims of abject poverty. This corrupt structure breeds a citizenry devoid of patriotism. For more than a century of rule, the Americo-Liberians did not initiate any meaningful development programs, though the country was endowed with mineral resources which were exploited at this time. Very little national investment was made in infrastructure and human resource development. Instead, national wealth was converted to individual personal assets.