The Billion at the Bottom
Just finished reading a book about the plight of third world countries. Poor Africa really has little to hope for unless the major players shift their direction. As a volunteer for an NGO there, I know too well about their hurdles. The author points out that aid is a necessity but it’s a bandaid. We all know that. I would never stop helping there, though, even if there is unbelievable corruption. We have to for many reasons.
For one, without the ability to compete with China and India, African countries will remain at the bottom indefinitely. Thousands of people will die, thousands others will be driven to do terrible things. The author proposes no trade barriers like tariffs and import duties among other ideas. We have got to make investment in Africa a good risk and, to me, this seems like a way to get it going. With jobs for more people, Africans should have less threat of war. And, if we can eventually get away from aid, we can weed out the corrupt who steal our gifts. I kind-of like the idea but my husband says it will never work… too many powerful special interest groups here who can and will interfere with change. He’s probably right. So, the whole nightmare for them will continue I guess.
I wish I had ten lives and could work ten lifetimes.
