What Foreign Aid Is

What Foreign Aid Is

There are two words that many politicians like to shy away from, and those

two words are, "foreign aid." Taking a firm stand on either side of this topic

is usually side stepped by decision makers. Their opinions are usually based

on a case by case analysis. This extremely controversial topic involves whether

or not to support the policy of foreign aid to needy or sometimes not so needy

countries. What benefits does foreign aid have for the countries that receive

it, and does it have any benefits for the countries who give? Some may say that

instead of spending money on foreign aid, money should be spent on domestic aid.

Those who argue in favor of foreign aid say that it is an investment in the

future of both countries that will eventually pay off. There is also another

factor to consider when discussing foreign aid: what kind of foreign aid is

being offered. There are three different types of foreign aid: first, there is

military foreign aid; second, there is foreign aid for the advancement

of business; third, there is emergency foreign aid for food and medicine.

Foreign aid to countries can help in many ways. It can be used as a

tool in bargaining. For instance a country that has just received foreign aid

or is expecting to get their regular installment of foreign aid will be more

likely to listen to new ideas. Because some countries are so dependent on their

regular installments of foreign aid, they are willing to appease countries such

as the U.S who are giving it. When looked at closely, foreign aid may be

considered an elaborate system of legal bribery. This becomes evident when

countries do what they would normally not consider doing in order to continue

receiving foreign aid. The U.S supplies financial foreign aid to many different

countries; sometimes this foreign aid is in a form of a loan. For example,

recently the U.S. supplied Mexico with a loan in order to save the falling value

of the Peso. This loan was denigrated by much of the U.S. population because

many people don't understand why the U.S. should care about the falling value of

the Mexican Peso. First of all, deflation of the Peso means a loss of jobs in

Mexico which would in turn send an influx of illeagal immigrants from Mexico to

the United States. In addition, Mexico is a large economy that imports

American goods. If the P...

... middle of paper ...

...the relief workers and to distribute the goods. Soon

it seemed that the US was not wanted in Somalia, and it seemed as if they were

biting the hand that feeds them. With such negative feelings about the US

troops staying in Somalia, an ethical decision had to be made. Do we help

these starving people, or do we leave to protect ourselves. Somalia was

supposed to be a strictly humanitarian effort, but it turned out to be a

military effort when the US had to fight against all sides.

When every aspect of foreign aid is looked at, a decision about who is

right or wrong by each individual on their own. Foreign aid is most likely a

necessary evil for a superpower such as the United States. The US, just because

of the sheer size and strength of its economy and military might has to watch

over the rest of the world in order to keep balance and peace around the world.

When considered, it turns out to be that all the foreign aid combined is such a

small percentage of the United States GDP that we really have little to complain

about. I believe that foreign aid is blown out of proportion by the media. It

is hot topic that generates controversy and kicks up the ratings.