Some of it is geography and history.

Some of it is cyclic and reflective of human nature. When a nation is strong it tends to accumulate wealth...usually this involves and enables the projection of power upon other nations and the acquisition of resources and further wealth. A 'virtuous' cycle.

Think of the rise of Britain, the US and now China. As the nation becomes more wealthy the citizens tend to become increasingly demanding of 'rights' and less appreciative of their fortunate relative advantage due to the power projection superiority of the nation state. This tends to lead to the decline of the nation. The cycle of decline.

The strength of the nation then is in part driven by the willingness of citizens to recognise and remember their reliance upon the nation state as the primary driver of their liberty, security and collective wealth. When they do that the laws they write will serve them well. When they forget that, the laws they implement will lead to decline.