Are companies and nations selfless?

Question

When nations give foreign aid to people i.e. US, China, Europe, isn't it to build popular and political support for the donor nation? Is it also an attempt to build legitimacy of the government in the international community by showing the donor as generous? Isn't this the same thing with companies-an attempt to build legitimacy to the consumer i.e. McDonalds or Walmart? If they were alruistic why do they have press releases, wouldn't donations be made discreetly or anonymously?

Answer 1

I've always thought so...as well as what we provide is surplus first and its distribution comes under military "training." Governments and companies give also and get free PR and tax benefits raising funds for this or that...while its the people who footed the bill. Donald Trump can agree to have his face or name on anything and have the profits go to some organization. He however, gets the tax write off. These people don't do it because they are nice guys. He likes the publicity and the tax write off. It's an industry.

Answer 2

Who ever told you that companies would ever be altruistic lied to you.
A company is a tool for creating capital. Its very nature is to be predatory. The way to control the beast is to get more money in the hands the people through free enterprise. It should be easier for the small business man to make his way in this country. Perhaps we need a 21st century Teddy Roosevelt.

A representative nation whose citizens are doing their jobs should ultimately have control of the purse strings. We elected the people who are spending our money. So. If we don't like the job that they are doing, we can throw the rascals out.
I guess that means that a nation is only as selfless as her people.

Answer 3

I agree ....but it's Donor's Choice if he wants to display/hide the identity, there might be several reasons -

>Image building in own country/international community.
>Every developed nation is committed to UN for supporting backward countries/people, so they want to prove this.
>Earning respect for their own nationality across the world.
>...etc
Still we can't compare this with companies, as companies never runs on no profit no loss concept, and they never carry any social responsibilities.

Answer 4

Big companies get attacked for making money by certain segments of society...so that promote their charity events.....

Countries get attacked for their image......so the tell the world of the humanitarian projects

Both are concerned about their image to the public...........

Publicity brings attention to the cause...and that people and organization, companies and countries are working for a solution.....people need to hear that

Answer 5

If the donations were made anonymously how would we know who the generatious countries/companies were.

It would be nice, "altruistic" if they gave the money anonymously, but how would they make mileage out of the donation if noone knew who they were?

Answer 6

I would have to say that their is a part of alienation from the citizens by associating yourself as an entity because you represent a structure and are not an individual.

Answer 7

Well the crap we get in the stores now is nothing but garbage and I personally want made in America products back this cheap crap is just making more garbage.

Answer 8

Mainly Never. But I'm sure they do philanthropic acts regardless. As long as they intend to help another I really don't see the difference in whether or not it helps them as well.

Answer 9

Right.

Answer 10

Minimum... nobody these days helps without having their own interest in mind...