A rise in the standard of living in a country is unquestionably the aim of all developing countries, if not all countries. However, there is the danger that the rise in the standard of living only benefits a certain few whereas many do not feel the benefits at all. Rural areas often gain little or none of the benefits that cities do. This difference in those that have and those that don't can cause a large social imbalance that can lead to social inequality, unrest, restrictions and, in the most severe circumstances, civil war.