Why do we tend to invent sophisticated socio-political excuses for the underdeveloped nations when their ....?

Question

... apparent states of social misery can be generally explained away through “simple” cultural observations and ingrained patterns of behavior?

Whom are we doing a favor (paying lip service to) here with our political correctness? Why are we so willing to exacerbate and prolong social misery by not addressing the core cultural issue of a nation in dire need of international assistance? Are we so afraid of being labeled bigots and racists that we prefer to see thousands of children die of hunger in Africa everyday? What’s wrong with demanding measurable social changes in exchange for our monetary (and otherwise) assistance?

Isn’t it like putting people on life-long governmental handouts here at home and slow cooking them in their own poverty-stricken juices vs. creating real working conditions for their impoverished communities? So, it’s always easier to throw some chump change at people and turn them into habitual beggars than ..........

norsktjej1964 - I agree with you, endemic corruption, unscrupulous leaders, religious fanaticism, illiteracy, and unserviceable foreign debts are among the ongoing third-world country plagues that continue to pose as major obstacles against long-term progress. Indeed, I am willing to bet that the creditor countries would have been much more willing to cancel the debts if they could’ve trusted in the well intentions and honesty of the local political leadership to channel and invest the money where it is most needed (e.g. education, public health, infrastructure, incentives for entrepreneurial activities and innovations, etc.) … But I ask you: How reasonable or realistic is it to expect the G8 to forgive the debts when a country’s own populace make little or no attempt to elect more responsible leaders and governments (or even fails to overthrow its corrupt and undemocratic one, for that matter)?

But my dear sheepherder, we are saying EXACTLY the same thing!!! I guess you totally misunderstood the spirit of my question this time, dear. And yes, what is happening in Louisiana is nothing short of a total national tragedy and a disaster management disgrace. I lost plenty of good ducks in that calamity you know!

Answer 1

Part of the problem is that the governments are either run by unscrupulous people or that the nation is saddled with old debt that takes so much money that they spend more money on the debt than health care and education.

With unscrupulous leaders, it is general citizens that suffer when help is based on contingencies the leaders are unwilling to meet. The leaders do not go without a meal, health care or education--it is the citizens oppressed by the leadership that suffer.

The old debt that some countries are trying to pay back make it impossible to provide health care and education services to its citizens. I don't believe that these countries want to depend on help, but being in a survival situation with no resources makes it unavoidable. There is now a campaign called "Drop the Debt" that is urging countries to forgive the debt of the countries that fall into this category so that they can have the resources to provide necessary services to their citizens. As you stated-- this is the way out of dependence on others.

Answer 2

you know, i believe i'll play devil's advocate here. let's focus on africa. for centuries that continent was the center of the universe. now i don't know why that changed, but if i had to guess, i'd say it was probably a climate shift. then greeks, then romans, i'm sure i have missed enough to p--s off an expert. the point is that the focus of power changes. soon it will be us in their position. look what happened after kathryn...not much....yes, something needs to be done, but will we be doing them any favors if we just throw money at them? we send people over there to act superior to them and maybe help a little then they come home. not even a drop in the bucket of the ocean of water they really need! and what happens when we run out? you know we are likely to if we keep getting hit. between storms, terrorists, and our own government it's only a matter of time. should we feed the rest of the world and let our own starve?...believe me, there are plenty of people going hungry right here, i see them all the time. to hell with political correctness. for that matter, to hell with politics altogether! we're all in this global boat together, that's a fact. we need to take care of some of our own as well, that is also an indisputable fact. go tour southern louisianna and then tell me you think we're not overdoing it a bit with all this foreign aid! yes i sympathise with all those people just as you do, but am totally humiliated at the way that our own disaster victims are being ignored.---------------can you tell you hit one of my pet peeves?------i promise i'll use a shorter soap box next time.

Answer 3

Don't give me the ten ~ Sheepherder is right I can not say anything else to it she hits it right on the nail and I never say that about any of my answers but she covers everything you are looking for accept she doesn't have duck Pate.......

Answer 4

You are so right. Congratulations on your insight. Last night I was watching a show on TV about AIDS in Africa. The focus was all on poverty, medicine, etc. Not one word was spoken about sexual abstinence or having a monogamous relationship.

Answer 5

I'm with sheepherder on this one

Answer 6

"Screw you you damn peasant and do me a favour :don`t you ever call again"

Answer 7

because we think we are intelligent!

Answer 8

You're good.