Argumentative Essay On World Poverty

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In discussions of world poverty, a controversial issue has been how to provide aid to countries in need. On the one hand, some argue that aide should be immediate relief of famine, dehydration, and sickness. From this perspective, we should try to save every life that we can. On the other hand, however, others argue that providing immediate relief makes the problem worse. In the words of Garret Hardin, one of this view’s main proponent’s, “As a result of such solutions to food shortage emergencies, the poor countries will not learn to mend their ways, and will suffer progressively greater emergencies as their populations grow” (332). According to this view, famine relief will be detrimental in the long run. There is a shortage of food because the population is too large, and by allowing more people to live and reproduce, the food shortage will become more severe. In sum, then, …show more content…

Many will struggle now, but life will become more sustainable with infrastructure. Hardin shares that, “The modern approach to foreign aid stresses the export of technology and advice, rather than money and food… foundations have financed a number of programs for improving agriculture in the hungry nations.” Increased efficiency and technology is exportable and practical. A Nobel Prize winner developed “miracle plants” that increase yield and resists damage. When innovation leads a nation beyond sustainability, they can enter the international economy. Hardin’s essay has presented a lot of reasons not to provide aid, but he doesn’t address how providing aid can benefit richer countries. When people are able to take care of basic needs, it frees them up to be creative and productive. If more countries can gain access to the Internet, they are opened up to an endless supply of information. Combined with social networking, the ease to share ideas and work together, countries will go beyond taking care of

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