Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa

[Löki Gale]

I am about to read this book for the second time. I remember feeling like my eyes were being open for the first time when I started it, but now, I am a little hesitant. Any suggestions on what to focus on this time around?

[Sarah]

I need to read this book too. When I took Economic Development, teams of two were assigned debate topics. My team was debating aid to heavily indebted, poor African nations and we were on the side opposing. I started out with a very different opinion and ended with a better sense of what could actually do some good in the world. Interesting stuff.

[Löki Gale]

Sarah..." You definitely need to pick up this book then. It is really small, but it takes a bit to read though the numbers. It is an assigned reading for one of my RD courses - pretty...opposite of popular theory.

[Lydia]

I found Dead Aid to be a bit daunting as well. I'm glad you're going to attack it a second time. I must admit, the primary perspective makes a great deal of sense to me.

When slaves were set free, most did not want to be. They were still blocked when it came to self-sufficiency because they had no land, no money, and were separated from their families. They had been sustained on the plantations.

Is this no similar to what aid has been doing to Africa, as well as other nations?

[Löki Gale]

From what I understand - or at least I read - it is a similar situation. The aid going into African countries often contributes more to the economic problems of the countries. Corrupt governments pilfer the money, the lack of infrastructure does not allow for monies to be used for sustainable ventures or even get to the markets, and often aid monies have strings and debt attached that do not allow the people to decided where the money should go.

It just sounds like a crappy situation.

[Lydia]

This is not a situation specific to Africa. Consider all the nations the U.S. has "put under their wing", such as Haiti, India, etc. This not just about corruption; it is about the U.S. having that paternalistic approach to aid to counties they consider "third world". Look at India -- their growth in the technology industry has changed the U.S. foreign policy towards the country!! All of a sudden, we don't need to hear or worry about this still overcrowded country. People are using technology in huts!! And yet, now we don't care. We don't worry about housing and such because industry has outsourced!

What can we make of this?

[Löki Gale]

...have you read Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein?

[Lydia]

Yep. The economic history of this book is fascinating. I have even heard Klein speak. I don't understand why more people don't take notice.

[Löki Gale]

People are too busy finding out what Kate Middleton is going to wear at her wedding.