Why does America do so little in foreign aid while Americans keep thinking they are o so generous?

Question

USA’s aid, in terms of percentage of their GNP has almost always been lower than any other industrialized nation in the world, though paradoxically since 2000, their dollar amount has been the highest. (Only since 2004 have they move up from last place, by just one or two places.)
Net ODA in 2006 as percent of GNI Country Aid amount by GNP
Source: OECD Development Statistics Online last accessed Saturday, April 07, 2007

Sweden 1.03
Luxembourg 0.89
Norway 0.89
Netherlands 0.81
Denmark 0.8
Ireland 0.53
UK 0.52
Belgium 0.5
Austria 0.48
France 0.47
Finland 0.39
Switzerland 0.39
Germany 0.36
Spain 0.32
Australia 0.3
Canada 0.3
New Zealand 0.27
Japan 0.25
Portugal 0.21
Italy 0.2
USA 0.17
Greece 0.16
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Debt/USAid.asp
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_eco_aid_don_percap-economic-aid-donor-per-capita
Should America do more?

What explains the fact that Americans are convinced they give the most while the reality is they give the least?
Is it another case of blind patriotism?

The private charity is more than average in other countries but it doesn't close the gap
Bring those numbers down to an everyday level and the average American gave 13 cents a day in government aid, according to David Roodman, a researcher at the Center for Global Development (CGD) in Washington. Throw in another nickel a day from private giving. That private giving is high by international standards, yet not enough to close the gap with Norway, whose citizens average $1.02 per day in government aid and 24 cents per day in private aid.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0106/p16s01-cogn.html

Answer 1

I have no idea. The UN asks that each nation give 1% of their GDP to foreign aid, which is nothing. It's maybe a penny out of every person's federal taxes. Beyond that the US employs an aid strategy where it buy American first. I've spent a number of time in clunky Fords while working on projects in conjuction with the state department (and have learned that if you really need an off road vehicle, buy Japanese). Most of the foreign aid money simply goes back into US hands anyway. It's a sad, unfortunate misconception.

What is also scary is that most Americans don't realize is that increasing foreign aid to help sustainable projects abroad would not only keep immigrants home, but cut down on the destabilization that brings about extremist groups.

Answer 2

These are figures for governments (i.e. GNP which are Gov't percentages). The American people give FAR more than even most of these governments. Also note that most if not all of these are socialized (ie distributed wealth) governments.

We U.S. citizens are free to distribute our wealth as we see fit. Not so in most - if not all the above mentioned paradises.

Money, donations to charities, telethons (ie We are the world), volunteer time are all areas U.S. citizens GIVE. We don't need no stinkin' government to tell us what we care about or what to donate toward.

Also consider what would happen around the world if the American people cut off their "tiny" donations and logistical-technical support and our solo defence of an entire European continent. The Europeans couldn't protect themselves from wet paper bags much less upcoming threats.

The world wants to hate us but Americans are called EVERY time there is a crisis. And they are right to call upon us because "WE DELIVER" - others only talk (i.e. the United Nations, Old Europe, Muslim world).

Answer 3

1. What country have we NOT helped financially?

2. do your figures include all that we spent rebuilding countries after we were DRAWN into war?

3. Do those figures include man hours where we go to every disaster to aid?

4. Do those figures include the money we send when there is a disaster?

If you were to look at $$ instead of % we give the most. Yet most times we FORGIVE the debt. If I remember correctly, only England is done paying us back. And they have been the only country to pay us back.

Answer 4

it could be that the economy of California alone is larger than most of the countries referenced and actual dollar to dollar comparisons are ridiculously disproportionate. the US is always the first to help and always comes with the most while in many cases these countries are no shows period.
if you live here in the US and you are ashamed of our contributions, you have a long list of other countries above that you can move to, if you are from somewhere else I hope you do not need our help soon.

Answer 5

You answered your own question. The US gives almost twice as much to the international community as 2nd ranked Japan; the UK, Germany & France aren't even close. The most is the most; I don't care how you break it down. Someone has to be #1. I'm glad it's my country. You would feel the same if your country were the big spender.

Answer 6

You statistics you use are based on gov't issued foreign aid. It does not take into account all the donations our citizens make privately out of the kindness of our hearts. As we have the most disposable income in the world, Im sure your stats would be drastically different if this was taken into account.

Answer 7

Hmmmm...let's see.
How many other countries are supporting a huge military?
Maybe someday when the USA is no longer afraid of the world and cuts back it's military machine, there might be more money for foreign aid.
The world has a love/hate relationship with the USA and its big military. Many countries rely on our military and despise it at the same time.
I believe the military budget is about 7% of the GDP, but I wouldn't swear to it. Whatever the %, it's a huge sum of money.

Answer 8

Many would consider that the money spent on maintaining a military presence overseas to help protect those nations who spend next to nothing on their own defense, also constitutes foreign aid. Others might consider the disproportionate amount of money spent on the UN by the US is foreign aid. Nice try, though.

Answer 9

Your answer includes only government aid and does not include charities like the Catholic league and other church organizations in addition to almost any health org. you can think of.

If you include all funds transferred overseas for the benefit of another nations citizenry, then the US is by far and away the biggest giver.

Think of it this way, we are a capitalist society so in theory, taxes to the government are simply for the public welfare. Our marginal tax rate per person is in the neighborhood of 25%. In Europe, that rate is nearly 50%. More if you count VAT taxes.

Answer 10

Are these figures how much the American government gives or the American public? The American public has a much higher rate of private donation to charity than any of these nations.