Foreign Aid Essay
analytical Essay
2108 words
American politics, specifically, American foreign policy is a very controversial topic of study and subsequent discussion. Foreign aid, defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “the transfer of capital goods from one country to another”, is crucial to U.S. foreign policy. But how can foreign aid, which represents only about 0.2 percent of Gross National Product and less than 1 percent of the federal budget , be important to something as crucial as foreign policy? A few questions must be asked in order to shed some light on this. First, how does the donating nation (for the purpose of this paper, the U.S. and donor/donating country/nation will be used interchangeably) determine how much aid to give? Second, who actually gets the aid? And third, how much aid do the recipient nations receive? Looking back on history and within modern times, the neediest of nations are the not the ones, which receive foreign aid (McKinlay and Little, 1977). In fact, foreign aid can be described as a trade for specific political concessions, which benefit the donor country. How the determination of which country receives foreign aid is usually dependent on the strategic importance to the donor country (as a modern example let us use Egypt, which is in the top five of the countries, which receive the most U.S. foreign aid. Egypt is in a strategic location, in close proximity to Israel). How much aid is actually given will depend on a number of factors, including the current state of affairs in the donor country and any prevailing fears of the time (i.e. the spread of communism during the Cold War, terrorism, etc.). In order to determine how much aid is given, I will draw from the selectorate theory, particularly, from the winning coalition, which is...
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...obally, it is done in a extremely strategic manner, which not only assists in promoting better living standards and policies, which make recipient nations more accountable and transparent, but it dramatically increases national security by ensuring that countries adopt policies, which are beneficial to the U.S. but it also creates allies and in instances strengthens allies in turbulent regions. Foreign aid continues to be one of the most important elements of U.S. foreign policy just as it was as far back as the conclusion of the Second World War and as current as our concentrated efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. So the next time someone dismisses foreign aid as being something unnecessary and irrelevant to our benefit and foreign policy, consider that without it the U.S. wouldn’t have many allies and could possibly not be anywhere near the superpower it is today.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that foreign aid, defined by merriam-webster dictionary, is crucial to u.s. foreign policy.
- Explains that the nation itself does not make the decision but the leader does. the u.s. would attempt to purchase an anti-communist stance from s2.
- Explains the marshall plan, which was a massive foreign aid effort launched by the united states after wwii.
- Analyzes how the u.s. subverted a communist-leaning government in 1953 to unseat mohammed mossadeq, and in 1954, with the eisenhower administration in power, the premier was replaced with general fazollah zahedi.
- Analyzes how the dramatic increase in foreign aid to guatemala in the years after the installation of the new government shows once again that american foreign assistance comes in exchange for policy concessions.
- Explains that the terrorist attacks of september 11th, 2001, on new york city set the background for a u.s. led invasion into afghanistan and iraq.
- Explains that the united states state department's official goals are to "build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world for the benefit of the american people and the international community."
- Concludes that u.s. foreign policy today may seem too centered around national security. foreign aid is one of the most important elements of its policy as it was as far back as the second world war.
- Argues that the u.s. isn't buying friends, but helping them open the roads of enterprise and opportunity for their own people.
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- analytical
- opinionated
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- Foreign Aid Essayanalytical essayForeign aid is financial help given by a country to another for purposes of economic stabilization, poverty and living standard. This essay will elaborate an issue that it is necessary to spend money on foreign aid. There are three premises supporting the main conclusion, the first reason is that aid saves lives, while the premises that aid improves education and aid reduces poverty rate both can be objected and rebuttal are also given. Furthermore, there are also two objection given which can be rebutted.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that foreign aid is financial help given by a country to another for purposes of economic stabilization, poverty, and living standard. there are three premises supporting the main conclusion.
- Argues that foreign aid should be spent because it "saves lives" and researches show that vaccines and health aid reduces the number of children who die from pneumonia and diarrhoea.
- Argues that foreign aid should be spent because it improves the quantity and quality of education in ways of learning environment and data.
- Argues that foreign aid is needed for the economic growth of third world countries.
- Argues that foreign aid is inefficient, prodigal, and wasteful because of the mismanagement of funds and embezzlement, which imposes pressure on government decision makers.
- Concludes that we should spend money on foreign aid because it saves lives, although aid are sometimes inefficient to improve standard level of education and eliminate poverty rates, but aids are necessary for the government to work on those issues.
631 wordsRead More - The Cons of U.S. Foreign Aidopinionated essayUnited States aid hurts Third World countries because we blanket them in security and their economic problems remain hidden. Their failing economic system will not collapse as long as we keep feeding them money. The point of foreign aid is to help the country "get back on its feet", and they never will if they never fix their broken economic system. The country can sit and ignore the underlying problems because they no longer have to worry about the screwed up system they have, as long as the United States keeps pumping the money ...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that u.s. foreign aid is a bad thing because it hurts their economies, creates over-population, and we spend money that could be used closer to home.
- Opines that united states aid hurts third world countries because it blankets them in security and their economic problems remain hidden.
- Explains that foreign aid hurts the aided country because of over-population. the land can only support so many people and their technology does not allow for surplus.
- Argues that the government should stop sending supplies and money to third world countries if they want to get out of their deficit, create jobs, and help the poor.
- Opines that americans feel compassion for poverty-stricken people and want to raise the living status of "less-fortunate" people to a level similar to their own.
- Explains that sending money to foreign countries for aid also helps setup small makeshift hospitals to help people stricken by diseases that normally wouldn't be fatal in the united states.
- Opines that the united states should aid other countries because it has surplus of food in the country.
- Opines that americans are compassionate but don't feel sorry enough to give food to starving people in their own country. overpopulation is the biggest problem in third world countries.
- Explains that eliminating diseases within third world countries has its downsides. without those factors in the ecosystem population has skyrocketed.
- Opines that the surplus of food in this country would be more helpful in eliminating hunger in our country.
- Opines that united states aid is not a good thing because it causes overpopulation, hurts foreign economies, and spends money that could be used closer to home.
1260 wordsRead More - The United States continues to give around $550 billion in aid to other countries each year, making America the world's top donor by far (Richardson). While the United States government only supplies $252 billion to needy Americans each year. Former Assistant to the President for Communications, Patrick Buchanan said, "The idea that we should send endless streams of tax dollars all over the world, while our own country sinks slowly in an ocean of debt is, well, ludicrous" (Foreign Aid). The United States need to give money to support the domestic impoverished rather than supporting developing foreign countries because the poverty and homelessness in America is increasing faster than the aid necessary to reduce this trend. Part of the reason that the United States should aid the domestic impoverished is that some foreign countries cannot be trusted with the money given to them and in certain cases, the money intended to aid countries are harmful for that country’s well-being.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the united states should give money to support the domestic impoverished rather than supporting developing foreign countries because the poverty in america is increasing faster than the aid necessary to reduce this trend.
- Explains that america has the highest overall and childhood poverty rate of any major industrialized country on earth.
- Explains that the underemployment rate in the united states is fifteen percent, and the unemployment rate is ten percent. the worsening economy and rising unemployment numbers emphasize the reasons why homelessness continues to increase.
- Opines that the united states should have realized that money cannot always be trusted in the hands of foreign countries.
- Explains that the u.s. has a positive impact on the world through foreign aid.
- Opines that decreasing poverty in the united states is not the complicated problem people make it out to be. the government is preoccupied with their worldwide reputation.
- Explains carlson, darren. why you should consider canceling your shortterm mission trips comments.
1409 wordsRead More - Foreign Aid is Used for Illegal Activitiesexplanatory essayAid is generally given by individuals, private organizations, or governments. Surprisingly, foreign aid from America is usually donated by organizations that are not tied to the government. A specific transfer that fits in...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that foreign aid is a type of funding that helps support many countries in great need.
- Explains that foreign aid is a transfer of resources from one country to another. major reasons for giving aid are to promote humanitarianism.
- Explains that the u.s. is the least generous in distributing foreign aid, despite being a percentage economy.
- Explains that mexicans are smuggling illegal goods into the u.s. due to macroeconomic conditions in mexico and changes in the us border policy.
- Explains that illegal immigrants come to america for freedom and to make money off of selling illegal products and escaping from the government. illegal immigrants take available jobs away to those who legally deserve them.
- Explains that humanitarian aid is given to a high population of people who live their day-to-day lives in poverty.
- Opines that the recipients of foreign aid misuse and abuse it. sometimes aid fails to reach where it was intended to go.
- Explains that aid has a positive or negative impact on the world, but there are different views on if foreign aid actually promotes economic growth or not.
- Opines that foreign aid is negatively affected by illegal activities, since it takes money before it gets to where the donor wished it to go.
2115 wordsRead More - The question at hand is not whether aid from the developed north should be given at all, but whether or not it should be increased to help ease the suffering of the developing countries in the south. Every country, whether rich or poor, should have compassion for the suffering. However, it is not the duty of the developed north to completely take care of every developing country. In the present, there are serious problems that need to be addressed dealing with how aid is given out: misuse of funds by governments, the corruption it creates, economies it destroys, lack of votes it buys at the United Nations, and finally the question of who has priority. Therefore, until these issues are dealt with in the near future, aid should be kept to a minimum.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that it is not the duty of the developed north to completely take care of every developing country.
- Analyzes how james p. grant's article favors the increase of foreign aid to the developing south, stating that poverty in this world is a large problem that has continued to rise.
- Opines that the purpose of a nation is to look after its citizens to ensure that they are free from harm, stay healthy, receive public utilities, and become educated.
- Explains that the editors of the economist believe the north should not increase aid to the developing south on account of past misuse, unfair distribution of aid among countries, and lack of results.
- Analyzes how the agency for international development (aid) believes that foreign aid influences recipients' actions and helps gain support for the donor's interests worldwide.
- Analyzes the flaws in the assistance effort that need to be addressed before any future increase in spending occurs.
- Opines that the key to reforming agencies like aid is finding a way to control the direction of monetary aid once lent to the government.
- Opines that the clinton administration believed that assistance prevented social collapse. however, it was not worth the millions of dollars to interfere in the conflict in rwanda and somalia.
- Argues that aid is not distributed based on need, but rather on wealth, which implies that foreign investors care more about their personal gain than for the betterment of the lives of those they govern.
- Concludes that if there was a way to prevent the misuse of funds by finding ways to control the use of money, increase support at the united nations for us policies, and distribute aid according to need, foreign aid would be acceptable.
1500 wordsRead More - Acting as the World's Police Force is Bankrupting Americaanalytical essayRichardson, Clare. "U.S. Foreign Aid By Country." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the united states needs to lower its military spending and refrain from getting involved in senseless wars.
- Opines that the united states military has taken a more international role and is not right for america to dictate what goes on in other countries.
- Explains that the u.s. is involved in a colossal amount of wars, and financing each of them is by no means cheap expenditure.
- Explains that the 11-year war in afghanistan was the longest war the united states has ever been involved in.
- Argues that the united states is obligated to protect other nations by not acting as "the world police".
- Explains that the war in iraq weakened the united states in many ways, besides increasing our national debt enormously.
- Cites gillespie, nick, and meredith bragg's "hit & run blog." the center for american progress action fund.
2021 wordsRead More - Foreign Aid Programs are a Great Investmentexplanatory essayThe United States has proven again and again that foreign aid can be a worthwhile venture. While donating less than one half of one percent of the federal budget towards economic and humanitarian assistance, the United States has been able to establish trading markets for the present as well as the future. Between 1990 and 1993 alone, U.S. exports to developing nations increased by $46 billion ("Ten Questions Commonly Asked About U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs"). This dramatic change would not have happened if it were not for foreign assistance programs. Trade opportunities do not simply materialize, the groundwork must first be put in place. Through business code reforms, the strengthening of commercial banks, and the setting of reasonable tax and tariff standards, USAID helps to create an environment that will attract American investment and trade. Take for instance, the example of South Korea. During the 1960s and 70s, South Korea was one of the United States' prime targets for foreign assistance. The U.S. now exports more to South Korea in one year than was donated during both the 1960s and 70s. Because of this, the two have become extremely close allies, and are now two of the best trading partners in the world ("Ten Questions Commonly Asked About U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs").
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states has established trading markets for the present as well as the future through foreign assistance programs.
- Explains that financially aided agricultural research in developing countries has resulted in improved yields for u.s. farmers.
- Explains that 200,000 u.s. jobs were created through foreign aid programs at the international development conference on january 1995.
482 wordsRead More - Privacy In Americaopinionated essayA family is sitting around their dining room table. They are eating a meal and having quality time together, but little did they know, a terrorist group was about to bomb their neighborhood and change their lives forever. For situations like this, America, as well as other countries, have typically sent foreign aid to try to help the families and countries that are in those terrible situations. Some people, however, are beginning to think that America helping other countries is a bad idea. Even though there are flaws within America, getting involved with other countries is vital to the future because people around the world count on the US to enforce international humanitarian laws, it is beneficial to their military, and democracy is the optimal
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america and other countries have sent foreign aid to help families and countries that are in terrible situations, but some people are beginning to think that helping others is a bad idea.
- Opines that america should be less involved with foreign countries because they have problems with their own country.
410 wordsRead More - hhargumentative essayMany people will argue that the United States military is always coming to the aid of other countries and maybe they should just mind their own business. It is a lot of small countries in the world that is unable to protect themselves and without the help of a power country the weaker country will be taken advantage of. The United States military is known for providing assistants to other countries that is in need from helping keep the peace to combat. According to Anup(2010), Military aid in recent years has increased, mostly in line with the “War on Terror” in Iraq and Afghanistan. A few years ago, the US invested more in getting Iraq and Afghanistan forces trained and increased military aid accordingly, hence the sharp rise (Anup, 2010).
In this essay, the author
- Opines that europe and the united states utilize their military force differently. each country has its own way of fighting and military forces.
- Explains that americans are more inclined than western europeans to say that it is sometimes necessary to use military force to maintain order in the world.
- Explains that the united states military is known for providing assistants to other countries that is in need from helping keep the peace to combat. military aid in recent years has increased, mostly in line with the "war on terror".
- Analyzes how anup (2010) wrote that the us funded opposition groups in order to undermine a soviet supported government.
- Compares american views on individualism and the role of the state with those of western europeans.
- Compares the religion views of western europe vs. america, stating that america views religion as more important than western europeans to be moral and have good values.
- Explains that american acceptance of gays and lesbians is continuing to grow, with polls showing that just over a third of americans view homosexuality as sin.
- Explains that not all countries share the same beliefs, and that one country may feel right, but others can come up with an argument why it is wrong.
676 wordsRead More - Should The United States Have Restrictions On Foreign Aidopinionated essayThe great American Civil War Veteran and Lawyer, Robert Ingersoll, once said, ¨We rise by lifting others.” . I think what Mr. Ingersoll was trying to say by this statement is that sometimes people just need a little extra push in life to be great. For years now the American people has been questioning would it just be easier to become an isolated country and focus on our own country, or is it our obligation to continue to help others in other countries. On a personal level I do believe that America should continue aiding other countries, all because of the old saying of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”. In other words helping others can lead to help for you weather it be during crucial wartime or during life's worse curveballs. With continuing foreign aid I also believe America should have some sort of restrictions on foreign aid.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that america should continue aiding other countries because of the old saying of "you scratch my back, i'll scratch yours."
- Explains that america's bright pastime involving foreign aid really took off in the 1920s. president woodrow wilson announced the fourteen points to congress in early 1918.
- Opines that america would not have done a lot of good things in war if it wasn't for the help of other countries.
- Explains that the united arab emirates helped joplin, missouri, get apple macbooks, and rebuild mercy hospital. millions believe that america is the most giving country in the world, but they aren't.
619 wordsRead More