preview

Should The United States Provide Foreign Aid?

Decent Essays

Foreign aid is something that is provided by donating governments to countries in need, mostly third-world countries. Foreign aid is allocated for two extremely broad categories, economic development and military aid. Under these categories there are specific uses for foreign aid like, health, humanitarian assistance, democratic elections and even protection for forests. There is debate about foreign aid being a waste because of corrupt governments, which gives the United States speculation whether it should continue to provide foreign aid and how much. This was a popular topic in the 2012 election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. It would be most beneficial to the United States to maintain foreign aid levels while having conditions …show more content…

By placing conditions on aid, governments of developing countries will have incentive to possess favorable policy. This will be beneficial to the US because policy reforms lead to more economic development. With lesser developed countries getting help with economic development, it will also help the US economy. Another reason why it would be favorable to place conditions on aid, would be because donors will increase their spending to provide to countries with good policy. This will also give incentive to poor performing countries because most donors will use their foreign aid towards good performing countries. Conditions also allow ability to choose how and what the aid is used for. This will help improve accountability to taxpayers. It will also have a positive impact on democratic countries, and will allow for other non-democratic countries to …show more content…

People could argue that since we are donating such a low percent of our GDP it would make sense for the US to increase aid levels. This would also be an argument for anyone that has certain religious beliefs. In the article A Call To Virtue, the author, Jeffrey Sachs shares one of the Pope’s various messages, “The urgent core of Francis’ message, which is the message of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, challenges this American idea by proclaiming that the path to happiness lies not solely or mainly through the defense of rights but through the exercise of virtues, most notably justice and charity.” In some religions people believe it is morally right to help through charity to find happiness. Some people also argue that foreign aid levels should decrease because of the economic crisis that the US is in. The United States current debt is over eighteen trillion dollars right now according to usdebtclock.org. People believe that by decreasing foreign aid levels it will take away some debt. If the levels were to maintain there would not be worry about creating more debt by increasing levels and the US would also not have to worry about pulling out and not giving enough. Another argument is that aid should be unconditional and should be given to whoever needs it in time of crisis no matter

Get Access