Blog Topic #10

After reading both the article by the CATO Institute and what our book had to say about aid from more developed countries and used clothing trade, I believe that this aid is causing more bad than good. For instance, the CATO article claimed that the per capita GDP declined from 1975 to 2000 by 0.59% in countries south of the Sahara. Clear evidence showing that our support to countries in Africa is causing the people there to not gain any kind of development, only feeding Africa's government leaders. So in the mean time, countries like the U.S. and Europe are supporting countries over in Africa with millions of dollars and all of that money is being placed in banks that these African countries set up in order for the heads of government to save the money and use it on their own accord. Because of these corrupt governments, no aid to Africa will make a positive impact on the people that live there. Unless this money is used for certain plans or development in Africa that is supervised by the countries donating, aid will not help Africa. The best way to help Africa is to develop mutual trade, industry, and infrastructure.