It's very likely that the ground station of a space elevator would provide enough of an economic boost to any of the disadvantaged equatorial countries you're talking about to provide stability.
Cargo, tourists, researchers: all would have to travel through the host country to get to the elevator. Taxes, hotels, warehouses, ports, restaurants, and I could probably name a dozen more incentives. The point is that something gigantic like the world's first space elevator would be inherently stabilizing.
Slashdot Mirror
It's very likely that the ground station of a space elevator would provide enough of an economic boost to any of the disadvantaged equatorial countries you're talking about to provide stability.
Cargo, tourists, researchers: all would have to travel through the host country to get to the elevator. Taxes, hotels, warehouses, ports, restaurants, and I could probably name a dozen more incentives. The point is that something gigantic like the world's first space elevator would be inherently stabilizing.
To Who it Finds this:
Please forward to the human animal "Brighteyes" c/o Dr. Zaius.
Dear Mr. Heston,
I am writing this to warn you to watch out for those damn dirty apes.
Your Fan, Sonofgunns
P.S. Don't go spelunking with that busty silent girl.