What Foreign Aid Is
explanatory Essay
1739 words
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...
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...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.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the two words, "foreign aid" and taking a firm stand on either side of this topic.
- Describes the reasons for supporting foreign aid to needy or not-so-needy people.
- Asks if it has any benefits for the countries who give?
- Explains that those who argue in favor of foreign aid say that it is an investment in the country.
- Explains that foreign aid to countries can help in many ways.
- Opines that foreign aid may be as important as the u.s. who are giving it.
- Explains that the u.s. supplied mexico with a loan in order to save the falling value.
- Explains that deflation of the mexican peso means a loss of jobs.
- Opines that some people would still be against this type of aid, and their argument would be the same.
- Explains that aid not only helps the country in need, but it also pumps money into the us.
- Explains that the u.s. has over 800 million budgeted for aid to russia and other former soviet states.
- Explains that the u.s. spends more money on military foreign aid.
- Explains that the u.s. usually has more than one type of foreign aid.
- Describes countries such as lybia, lebanon, iraq, and iran.
- Explains that the leader of iraq, decided to use scud missiles against israel who had no part.
- Explains how the gulf war turned out to be crucial.
- Explains how the us tried to help a country full of starving people who were dying because of hunger.
- Explains that the decision to bring in us forces was made for fear of being killed.
- Opines that the us was not wanted in somalia, and it seemed as if they were.
- Opines that foreign aid is most likely a right or wrong by each individual.
- Opines that foreign aid is blown out of proportion by the media.
- Opines that if the u.s. wants to keep russia on the right track, it must give them aid to feed their people.
- States that the u.s. uses foreign aid as a tool to end the cold war.
- Explains that the us has a foothold in the middle east by preserving israel as an ally.
- Analyzes how 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.
Related
- opinionated
- analytical
- explanatory
- The Cons of U.S. Foreign Aidopinionated essayThe Cons of U.S. Foreign Aid As time progresses humankind seeks to better itself. We strive to make life easier, faster, and more efficient. Currently we have telescopes that can see objects light years away, satellites that can track you around the planet, cars that adjust the seat and steering wheel to separate drivers, and computers that fit in your hand and perform a million calculations a second. But not everyone in this world has this technology. In parts of the world there are people who are still advancing, they are hundreds of years behind the technological leaders of this world.
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 - U.S. Foreign Aid: Its History and Implicationsanalytical essayEvery year, the United States of America spends 37.68 billion dollars on foreign aid, more than any other country gives (Escobar 10). Why does the U.S. spend so much on foreign aid, and is it a good thing? This paper looks at the U.S.’s policies on spending money on development abroad, and explores whether it is successfully helps underdeveloped countries or not. Even though the USA and other Western countries give a lot of money to underdeveloped countries, they have ulterior motives; thus foreign aid is not a totally good thing and it can even be a bad thing. The U.S. promotes development abroad in two ways: with official donations of money through USAID (United States Agency for International Development), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United Nations; and through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (6). The U.S. gives about 1% of its budget to foreign aid (6). This figure also includes military aid. Out of all the countries receiving aid, Egypt and Israel receive the most (this is because the U.S. has strategic and military interests in those areas) (Pawson 112). The USAID website states: “U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America’s foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world” (112). Additionally, 80% of the money USAID gives goes to American NGOs and companies (112). The goal of the development aid industry is to make America seem like a good country that is doing good things. However, it is also part of America’s imperial foreign policy.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the u.s. spends 37.68 billion dollars on foreign aid each year, more than any other country.
- Explains that the u.s. first started giving international aid after world war ii to increase its influence around the world.
- Explains that the west gave aid in the 1980s but required other conditions, like structural adjustment programs. these programs had bad effects in latin america.
- Explains that as more conditions were attached to aid, the role of donor institutions and ngos increased. the challenges of dependency were exacerbated by structural adjustment as increasing numbers of technical advisors and consultants were brought in to provide oversight to the restructured programs.
- Explains that the marshall plan was successful in europe because those countries already had functioning governments, schools, companies, and hospitals to use the money in.
- Explains that after the cold war, the u.s. stopped giving foreign aid because it was not fighting against communism anymore. the aid industry started up again when celebrity philanthropists like bono and bill gates became popular.
- Explains that jeffery sachs believes that the u.s. and the western world need to give a lot more than they have been.
- Analyzes how sachs disagrees with the zambian economist dambisa moyo's book, dead aid, which argues against development aid in africa.
- Explains that in an aid-dependent environment, the talented become unprincipled and are drawn from productive work towards nefarious activities that undermine the country's growth prospects.
- Analyzes how william easterly criticizes sachs' views, arguing that foreign aid can only work if small aid programs are perfected and made bigger.
- Argues that development and foreign aid should be done at all. the u.s. donates large amounts of its own grain to underdeveloped countries.
- Concludes that the u.s. gives money to underdeveloped countries, but this is not as beneficial as it might seem. development programs, such as food aid, often do more harm than good in the countries they are supposed to be helping.
- Cites easterly, william, and escobar, arturo. encountering development: the making and unmaking of the third world.
- Explains mclaughlin, jane kitchel, and moyo, dambisa. dead aid: why aid isn't working and how there's a better wayfor africa.
1703 wordsRead More - ..., but it makes sense if you look at the reasons why. Wealthier countries are more productive, stable, and offer a more educated workforce from which foreign investors have more to gain from. All of these examples together support the notion that aid is not always as useful as it could be and that lender?s should find more appropriate means for distributing resources before increasing foreign assistance budgets.
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 - 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 - Foreign Aid Essayanalytical essay...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.
2108 wordsRead More - Health Aid and Global Benefitsopinionated essayFor hundreds of years people around the world have experienced poverty in one way or another, some worse than others. Poverty is an issue that has not been able to be solve and has never been an easy topic to discuss due to the difficulty of helping those in need and the massive amount of people that suffer every year. Poverty will always exist no matter where you go or what you do. The problem with the environment, economy all seem to impact the same thing, which is the health of those living in poverty. Poor health has been one of the major concerns regarding poverty and it is the cause of high death rates in developing countries. The American influence on other countries or globalization has greatly impacted how these countries function and can open many opportunities to build their own way to become prosperous. The American government can provide funding for programs that will efficiently provide aid to developing countries. People are worried that globalization will be the cause of loss native customs and culture. The medical research on these places can increase our knowledge on diseases and new medicine. These approaches will give a very little result but in order to reduce poverty the US has to make a long term commitment and continue to spend large amount of money. The US government should continue to provide health aid to poor countries because it will increase global health, maintain political alliances and increase our medical knowledge.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the us should continue to provide health aid to poor countries because it will increase global health, maintain political alliances and increase medical knowledge.
- Argues that there is no real solution to poverty because there are too many factors when it comes to the poverty, and it makes it even harder to take the right approach.
- Opines that by providing medical aid to poor countries, we will gain a greater amount of medical knowledge to better defend our against disease and virus.
- Explains that foreign health aid can counteract epidemics, but it can also have a positive impact on the economy.
- Explains that the lack of clean potable water causes the spread of diseases and creates conflict over who gets access to the limited supplies.
- Argues that foreign aid is a waste of money that will not end poverty. the majority vote rules and it is the american government's responsibility.
- Explains that the majority members of congress would not want to risk to end all ties with allied countries in need of foreign aid because they know the potential threats that could happen to american government.
- Explains how the us was not able to help ho chi minh, the leader of north vietnam during the war against america.
- Explains that the us government is more than capable of providing health aid and other forms of aid. during the great depression, president franklin roosevelt funded many of these programs to stimulate the economy and improve poverty levels.
- Argues that globalization is to blame for the loss of native customs and culture in third world countries caused by the american interference.
- Argues that japan is a fund of the american culture and is known for taking industrial, manufacturing, and economic ideas and applying them to their own culture.
- Opines that to overcome poverty, we must overcome the causes of poverty and the big causes are untouched by aid.
- Argues that in order to reduce poverty, health care systems should ensure programs such as efficient prevention, disease control programmes, accessible and affordable healthcare services, and efficient management systems.
- Opines that countries cannot simply get out of poverty by implementing international relieve system. this can do more damage to developing nations by degrading their leaders and becoming wealthier.
- Opines that the only way a country could become financially wealthy is to have fair and enforced laws with free market and leaders who are responsible for their people.
- Opines that the issue of globalization is what set the government back from doing anything and yet many of these countries turn to the wealthy countries for support.
- Explains that foreign medical aid helps forge and create alliances and peace between countries. poor countries that support the american government and are open to the western culture must receive foreign aid.
- Opines that it would be a waste of money and effort to help countries that don't want to be affiliated with the us government.
2017 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 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 - Why Give 1.4 Billion Dollars to Other Countries?opinionated essayImagine yourself walking in the shoes of a single mother with three kids working two jobs trying to provide for your family. You work all day long and still cannot provide for your three kids. You do all you can between two jobs and help from a federal aid program, but you and your children are finding yourself having to skip a meal each day because what your doing is just not enough. You find yourself wondering where you go from here and what you are supposed to do, after all, you are doing all you can. What if you find out that the government is giving billions of dollars to other countries for food aid when you are here doing all you can and still need help, but it’s being given away to other countries. The U.S. gives billions of dollars to other countries for food aid and most of the money isn’t even going to food costs but, towards storage and shipping costs. We give so much money to other countries when we should be spending our money on our own people that are going hungry.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the u.s. gives billions of dollars to other countries for food aid and most of the money isn't even going to food costs but, towards storage and shipping costs.
- Explains that the u.s. gives money to other countries for food assistance each year, roughly 1.4 billion dollars. less than forty percent of the foreign assistance actually goes to food for these people.
- Explains that the u.s. tied aid program was designed to help other countries that were in need of food, but the environment that led to this program in the 1950’s is no longer an issue.
- Opines that the money that is being given to other countries could greatly benefit our citizens.
- Explains that a cut for snap benefits took away five billion in aid for 47 million people. the program is for low-income families or people suffering from job loss.
- Opines that even though the u.s. economy is getting better and more jobs are becoming available, it is still not enough. the lack of economic opportunity is a big concern amongst many americans.
- Explains that hunger is dangerous and harmful to a child's development. it affects the elderly, who are susceptible to diabetes, high blood pressure, and other age-related illnesses.
- Opines that the democrat-controlled senate proposed cut would be less than the republican cut, but will still negatively affect many americans.
- Explains that the u.s. gives billions of dollars to other countries for foreign aid, when we have millions of people in our country who struggle with hunger every day.
- Cites the mcclatchy-tribune news service article, "feeding america ceo: think of those who struggle with hunger this holidayseason."
- Analyzes how cuts in snap benefits lead to long lines, heightened anxiety outside newark food stamp office.
1187 wordsRead More - Foreign Aid is Used for Illegal Activitiesexplanatory essayForeign aid is a type of funding that helps support many countries in great need. Other names for this term are foreign assistance, financial aid, and overseas aid. There are many ways a country can receive aid. One way would be a country giving money to the recipient country. This is the most known form of aid, but the other forms of aid can include tents, food, and weapons.
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