I still don't get it. During the winter, the daylight hour is literally shorter, not just shifted. Shifting one hour won't magically make it longer. At best it gives your more daylight in one end, while sacrificing the other (and more than 1 hour, since again, the total daylight hour is shorter). So why bother?
How do you even define "best people"? Any how exactly are these people "rise to the top" for the leaders to follow in these countries? Some more details examples would be helpful.