A little bit over 2 months ago ��we started�� the discussion here but also on
Goncalo��s and
Devrim��s about poverty and what our world should do regarding this issue. At the time I mentioned that there could be two ways to look at the problem. The immediate relief and the sustainable development approach. The first one had to be carried (mostly) by individuals, NGO's and corporations, the second one by institutions such as the World Bank and IMF.
At the time I forgot to briefly approach a 3rd factor of importance in this issue: The role of developed countries. This was just brought into our TV screens and newspapers again yesterday with the Bush-Blair
press conference on Aid and Debt-relief to Africa (namely).
Let me start by saying that I think these types of issues are better clarified in the details and not so much in the overall approach, so my comments will be mostly about my concerns of what these news should not represent and not at all interpretations of what they do represent. I��m actually going to look at these details more carefully in a near future (after exams are over), and force myself to read some of these reports.
I��m still very skeptical about debt relief. People respond to incentives and not free-rides. On this issue you should see Goncalo��s
posting (6th April 2005) on the
article written by
R.Barro.
However, what I heard Bush and Blair say at the press conference yesterday tried to answer this concern but raised a new one. These two leaders are obviously aware that their investment and debt relief needs to be canalized into sustainable development and not into the rich pockets of corrupt president��s. The answer they gave to solve this issue was:
1) We will give money (and debt relief) to countries who are free and democratic
2) We will give it to people who use it properly
Both of these are defined on their terms.
I��m ignorant on most of the issues surrounding African culture but I��m humble enough to say that not all (or probably even most) western views of democracy and incentives are suited for the African people. My concern around their statement is that these incentives will not address the real needs for sustainable African development.
A sustainable approach will (in my view) always have to come from within. This is why multilateral and multicultural institutions such as the World Bank and IMF are likely to do a better job in aid and incentive schemes.
G-8 talks would be more useful to third-world countries if they focused mostly on how to breakdown the barriers of world trade rather than money transferring. These talks are also including these issues. I look forward to reading the details and hope for more in-depth news coverage.
