Some people are against the idea of the United States increasing their foreign aid. The main reason is that some of the nations that receive foreign aid, do not progress and often times fail. These countries may also buy or make weapons with this money. This money may also be going places that it should not be going; for example, it may be going to countries that do not need assistance. Countries who the United States give aid to may become dependant on the money that is given to them. What will they do when the money that they receive runs out?
By implementing the new Millennium Challenge Account, the number of failing nations who receive aid will decrease. This is because of the many regulations that are set up to keep this in order. The reason why many countries fail right now is they do not have sound policies in place. Then, when they receive aid, that money is being used to help keep those bad policies afloat. That is why the country cannot better itself. With the Millennium Challenge Account in place, this cannot happen. In order for a country to receive aid, they must have a sound policy in place and want to better their nation. They also must do these three things: rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom. After receiving aid, that country must show progress, or the aid will be cut off.
With all of these rules in place, it keeps any nation that wants aid from taking that money and making or buying weapons. By doing this, we can help fight terrorism. Countries may now want to stand up to terrorist groups who plague their nation. By helping these nations, we may in turn gain many allies. Money given to these countries will be invested in things like better schools, training programs, and maybe even computers. It will also be put to use to provide better health care, improve the water supplies, help the fight against AIDS, and broaden immunizations.
The United States does not have to worry about a country becoming dependant upon them. Once the country gets all off its sound policies in place, its trade going, and better agricultural production, this assistance will not be needed. The country will then earn more trade revenues and attract more foreign investments. The United States [already] imports more than $450 billion dollars a year from the developing world. “This is almost eight times the amount developing countries receive in aid from all sources,” President Bush stated.
The United States should be able to increase the amount of foreign aid that they give. The money that they give is not just tax dollars; as a matter of fact, some of the money comes from trade, investments, remittances, foundations, private donations, and many other sources. Also, the United States gives only about .11% of their fiscal budget; whereas, other countries who give foreign aid sometimes give as much as 1% of their budget. Even though the percentage is lower, the amount that the U.S. gives is still larger. Nevertheless, since those other countries are willing to give up a larger portion of their money, why can’t the United States do the same?
By the United States increasing their foreign aid, they are not only helping these countries, but they are bettering the world for future generations; in other words, the new Millennium Challenge Account is the answer that the United States is looking for. The United States needs to help eliminate the hopelessness and despair in the lives of many people who live in developing countries. They can do this very easily by supporting the Millennium Challenge Account by increasing their foreign aid. No one should have to live in conditions as the many people in poor countries do. Hopefully, the United States can see the good that can come out of the Millennium Challenge Account, and make the right decision to save the lives of millions.
Bush, George W. “Policy in Focus: Aid to Developing Nations.” <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/print/20020314-7.html>.
Q1- President Bush claimed that most funds for development do not come from international aid. He mentions three things that do fund development. What are they?
They come form domestic capital, from foreign investment, and especially from trade.
Q2- President Bush reminded his audience that successful development in a third world country requires more than funds. What two items did he mention in this regard?
He mentioned that it also requires citizens who are literate, who are healthy, and are prepared and able to work.
Q3- When is money sometimes counterproductive, according to President Bush?
When a country has bad policies instead of sound policies, and we give them money, the money is only funding these bad policies, which then takes longer for that country to get turned around because we are delaying their reform.
Q4- Describe the Millennium Challenge Account and include in your description what is anticipated from donors and recipients.
The MCA will help fight against AIDS, bring computer instruction to people in developing nations, and assist African nations to sell goods abroad, also train students in different countries, and apply power to increase harvests where hunger is the greatest. The donors must help the goal by providing people in developing nations the tools they need to seize the opportunities of the global economy. In return, the nations will be expected to adopt the reforms and policies that make development effective and lasting.
Q5- What are the three broad standards that President Bush expects the leaders of the developing nations to adopt?
The three things are ruling justly, investing in their people, and encouraging economic freedom.
Q6- Describe President Bush’s challenge to development banks and explain why or why not you favor it.
His challenge is for other nations and development banks to support a World Bank. Then we expect the World Bank to insist on reform and results to improve people’s lives. He also challenges the development banks to provide up to half of the funds to poor nations in the form of grants.
Q7- What percentage of our national income (GNP) do you think the United States government committed to foreign aid in 2002? First answer this question and then use the Internet to find the answer.
My answer would be 5%. The actual answer is .11%.
Q8- Describe and defend a “Me First” attitude. (Use your head ¾ you won’t find the answer in the required reading.)
The “me first” attitude means that maybe the United States should think about our problems with disease, unemployment, and poverty before they start worring about other countries.
Q9- Describe and defend a “Mutual Benefit” attitude. (Use your head ¾ you won’t find the answer in the required reading.)
The “mutual benefit” attitude means that we, along with other countries, should help pitch in money and services to other countries to help better the world for everyone.
Q10- Describe three unsuccessful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S. government or private American citizens. (Do not use the programs discussed in the testimony of Faith Action for People-Centered Development Policy included in your required reading. Conduct research using the Internet. Duplicate examples from the same class will not be accepted.)
Microsoft Community Affairs committed $30,000 to World Vision. World Vision is a humanitarian organization. They gave this money to aid the earthquake victims in El Salvador. The United States also gave a lot of food to the World Food Program, which went to the people of Sudan, North Korea, and Afghanistan. We have also taken aid and helped countries like South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Turkey.
Q11- Describe three successful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S. government or private American citizens. (Do not use the programs discussed in the testimony of Faith Action for People-Centered Development Policy included in your required reading. Conduct research using the Internet. Duplicate examples from the same class will not be accepted.)
There are many countries that have economically become worse off in the last twenty years. Just a few of these are Zaire, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, the Philippines, and Tanzania.
Q12- Steve Radelet, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, believes we can do both ¾ take care of our own people and lend a helping hand to citizens of less developed countries. Explain why you think we can or cannot offer aid to both.
I think that we can aid in both. We just have to make sure that we come first, but we give both equal time. We are not the only country that can help citizens of less developed countries, so it would not be as difficult.
Q13- What do you think about Mr. Radelet’s assertion that “the administration is leaning towards a system in which eligible countries would write proposals (or business plans) describing their objectives and strategy, how they would use the money, the benchmarks used for evaluation. Giving recipient countries this responsibility is a revolutionary change in US foreign assistance.”?
I think that in a way that is a good idea because then we can see what they are going to use the money for, and if it is a good cause. If it is not good, then why waist that money on a country that is not going to spend it right.
Q14- Which of Mr. Radelet’s three concerns regarding the MCA concerns you and why?
I think that the first one concerns me the most. This is because we are doing this for those countries who really need the help, and who have those sound strategies to become a better nation when they receive that money. That is kind of sad that we are wasting our money now on those countries that are using their money they receive to keep bad policies in tact. It should instead go to these unfortunate countries that are doing what is right and trying there hardest to become a better nation.
Q15-
There is evidence of an increase in negative world opinion towards U.S. foreign
policy, not necessarily the American people. To counter this negative perception
of the U.S. some people want the U.S. to concentrate more on weapons of mass
assistance (WMA) and less on weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Please comment.
Our
country needs to think a little bit about the WMD, otherwise we may risk an
attack of some sort. We need to
keep our country safe. But then
again we also need to concentrate on WMA because we don’t want other countries
to think that we are out to kill and are not doing any good.
We need to let countries know that we are trying to help and that we do
care for the well being of other countries.
Q16-
What does the World Bank recommend as the United State’s “just and
appropriate share” to
reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015?
Do you think our citizens can afford that kind of increase? Defend your
views.
The
World Bank recommends $40 to $60 billion. The
U.S. share of this would be $10 to $15 billion. I think in that amount of time
that the U.S. can afford this. Also in that amount of time, this small increase
will not even be noticed.
Q17- What do you think about the request of Faith Action for People Centered Development Policy’s request that tax dollars be used to fund, not only government-sponsored foreign aid programs, but “that funds also go to NGOs and grassroots organizations.”?
A little bit of money toward this wouldn’t hurt. It is just showing that we want to help people wherever we can. That little bit of money given to Africa could help them tremendously.
Q18-
How many countries would be affected positively y health-related investments
according to the Commission
on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH)?
83 countries would be positively affected.
Q19-
According to the CMH, how much would be gained annually between 2015-2020 due to
saved lives and increased economic growth, if an increased investment were made
in global AIDS and other health services?
$360 billion would be gained annually.
Q20-
Use the Internet for your research and name the two congressmen who introduced
H.R. 4524. Give a 2-line synopsis of that bill.
Senator
Joseph Biden and Senator Rick Santorum. The
bill is designed to help the Administration to work with other major creditor
countries to help heavily-indebt countries.
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