Those who do this are almost always men, so it is safe to assume some type of phallic symbolism is involved.

Sadly, this condition has been around almost since humans could even build such edifices.

Thus, the bible records the construction of the Tower of Babel, while the Pharaoh's constructed huge pyramids to demonstrate that their power and divinity could even transcend death.

Later on, the Emperor Vespasian ordered the construction of the Colosseum as his gift to the Roman people. Vespasian was personally under no illusions about his basic humanity but understood the power of symbolism perfectly well.

Still later, the Kings of France undertook the construction of the Palace of Versailles, which was consciously intended to be the most glamorous and awe inspiring symbol of royal power anywhere in the world.

The thing is, all of the edifices that I have mentioned have either long since vanished or are museums and tourist attractions. We can still marvel at them, but any political power or symbolism associated with them is long since gone.

The politicians and thinkers who have really made a useful difference have almost invariably left us a legacy of important ideas, not buildings.

Most especially important are those ideas that have led to increases in the freedom, wealth and well-being of the following generations.

So, what really endures from the days of the Pharaohs are things like the concept of a written language, while the Romans bequeathed us both their language, engineering knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, the idea that a huge and diverse population could be governed under a consistent, systematic body of written laws.

Bearing this in mind, the finest legacy that PNG's leaders can hope to leave behind is a system of governance which is honest, competent and focussed on achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of the country's citizens.

Only by liberating PNG's peoples from the tyranny of poverty, ignorance and ill health can the country's true potential be realised.

This means focussing with laser like intensity on the basics like health, educations, transport and so forth, not building yet another sky scraper.

This is not glamorous work and sometimes even thankless, but it indisputably works.

Just like Britain, Europe and the USA in the 19th and 20th centuries, the truly successful countries in Asia like China, Singapore and Malaysia have done exactly this and the results are plain to see.

This is the great lesson of history, if only those in power can see it.