Why do many Americans seem to think that their foreign aid is the highest?

Question

America actually ranks second last in relative terms (Japan is last)

Relative to Gross National Income (GNI)

By the way - poaching the best and the brightest from developing countries doesn't actually help them develop - sheesh

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Debt/USAid.asp

Teguila - By poaching I was responding to Ghost's idiotic answer. He seems to think that letting people from developing countries go to university and live in America is helping them. Actually Africa has a huge problem with doctors and other highly skilled people emigrating to Europe and the states. You're dad is right - one example of this is that the US "ties" its aid. They have to employ American consultants or by american products to donate.

Answer 1

Thank you for the information. I am one of a few Americans that actually questions media hype. But then I always have been the type to question authority.

And to what were you referring in the "poaching" response please.

One interesting thing that my father told me is that America will not put money anywhere that they won't be getting a return upon. So one could hardly call it "aid" could one? Seems more like a "fee" than a charitable gift.

Answer 2

At one time America's foreign aid was the highest, especially at the end of world war II. Other countries liked America, and we felt good about what we were doing. American's still like to feel that way.

Others think that America is way to generous to other countries when we have so many problems of our own.

Either way there are plenty of people on both sides who are willing to fudge the numbers to support what they believe.

Answer 3

The stats can be found here, for any who are interested., under the heading Aid to Developing Nations.

http://www.vexen.co.uk/countries/best.html

I would suggest that if any is truly interested, to read the site linked as a reference for that section.

Answer 4

Relative terms? what do you mean we dont send as much to our relatives or we give less per capita. Either way I think if you do a little more research you will find that americans give more than any other country in the world.

Answer 5

(1)Because we give the most if you look at it as money not as a % of the nation's wealth

(2)If you're going to correct a major mistake that "many Americans" have, don't you think you should list reference?

Josh

Answer 6

you are an idiot and a liar, we give more money to aid than any other country, we allow foreign people to go to our schools and give them grants to live here, america gives more to the world than anyone, i think we should stop doing that, because people around the world are ungrateful to us, everyone wants to hate america untill they need us, they are all cowards with no honor

Answer 7

Many Americans will believe anything their War(mongering) President tells them.

Answer 8

Because we USED to be a nation of consonance. Now we are a nation of wall mart republicans... we just FORCE others to live how we tell them they should live... we don't really live that way ourselves.

Answer 9

They don't. That would be foolish.
If they are mathematically challenged they often view it in absolute terms instead of relative terms.

Answer 10

What figures do you include. You can do the math so many ways. By the way how does your personal generosity rate?