The country was settled largely by people fleeing religious persecution in Europe. The indigenous people fought back, but were overwhelmed. They ultimately wound up in semi-autonomous political areas with few resources and no political power.
The founders of the country were firm believers in Enlightenment values, both at home and abroad. The country prospered and grew. As time went on, however, its leaders started to view the world less in terms of rules, and more in terms of pure power. Liberal democracy started to fray. The public became more and more accepting of extreme actions if they were deemed necessary to protect their system, while the country became more isolated abroad.
Is it Israel or America? You decide.