The Pros And Cons Of Foreign Aid

Foreign aid took shape after the Second World War in order “to support global peace, security, and development efforts, and provide humanitarian relief during times of crisis”(Foreignassistance.org). The United States gives foreign aid not only as an economic and political strategy but also as a moral imperative. However, there is a wide misconception that the efforts of foreign aid only has positive effects on foreign countries and that all the money used is used efficiently and effectively. Although there is evidence of the positive effects of foreign aid, as shown in South Korea and Taiwan, the evidence has been known to extremely variable and even known to be destructive to foreign countries. This is due in part to many countries using foreign aid ineffectively and inefficiently. Contrary to its assumed conception, foreign aid has been seen to corrupt the government as it consolidates

needs to efficiently spend its money in foreign aid. By using effective strategies and transparency, the U.S. would provide a more significant and positive impact for people who need it most such as the removal of corrupt people and ideals. Many reasons why aid is ineffective is because of corrupt officials who embezzle money for their own benefit such as former president Mobutu Sese Seko of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He stole a total of $5 billion dollars from the treasury. As a result, the money doesn’t go to the people who need it most. As well as officials there are also corrupt donors who overlook the way their funds are used resulting in the funding of corrupt ideas by corrupt governments. Donors also provide aid for their own benefit by installing overpriced goods and services the donor country must use or buy(“Foreign Aid for Development…”). However, although the management of all funds would better benefit the people it would be very difficult. In order to best provide aid, an effective government must give funds to the people