*High debt to GDP ratios are scarier in 3rd world countries than in 1st world countries*

Is debt to GDP important in 1st world countries?

GDP is the TOTAL products in the country. It includes services and products sold, correct?

In the East Asian Financial Crisis, at its WORST countries has up to 180% debt to GDP ratios. These countries had currencies that were quickly becoming worthless. Debt can cripple a country, but USA already has about a 100% debt to GDP ratio.  This country of course is credible enough to get more lenders to pump up to 180% debt to GDP ratio! But this 100% ratio is not scary because the government is powerful enough to collect even more taxes. But poor countries with such high Debt to GDP ratio are extremely risky because those governments often do not have the power or the organization to collect more taxes. His high debt to GDP ratios in rich countries are not as credible of a threat-as it would be in a poor country. Think about the infrastructure in India- only CANNOT find those who refuse to pay taxes. People can easily slip through the corners in India because there are probably no government identification, and many people live under bridges or in hard to find locations without mailboxes. One cannot tax a nation of untrackable people. And taxing the people more may cause more unrest in a poor country because often they are taxed little.