"Who Cares About International Aid?"
Why international development isn't going anywhere
📡 On my Radar
This goofy infamous video from 20 years ago is probably one of the best arguments for why the U.S. should invest in foreign assistance. We are not a culture of one - we are social creatures. Helping people is the right thing to do, it makes us feel good, and by extension it improves the moral fiber and mental wellness of the country doing the helping.
But there are other reasons:
Governance: During my government service, USAID staff attended various meetings, from national security to healthcare and education. Their involvement in domestic and international governance showcases their wide-ranging impact.
Soft power: International aid is a tool to increase national power and influence amongst foreign nations. Giving things away to achieve realpolitik goals has long been a societal norm. If the U.S. steps back, China or other actors can wield the mantle of influence at a fraction of the cost.
Market development: International development is really just low-cost economic investment - just like you invest in a company to exploit a market, the U.S. essentially improves the human condition in a country to make it a viable market for U.S. goods and services. In the long run, this shores up American economic dominance worldwide.
The empirical evidence supports development's effectiveness - extreme poverty has fallen from nearly 36% of the global population in 1990 to less than 10% today, with U.S. development programs playing a significant role. While challenges around aid effectiveness exist, strategic development investment remains one of the most cost-effective ways for the U.S. to advance both humanitarian and strategic objectives.
This is why I think that once a lot of the “PR wins” are taken, foreign aid will be around for a long time to come.
📈 By the Numbers
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shares an interactive map tracking the impact of global aid freeze on USAID-funded projects.NETWORKING | Sam Polk seeks connections with SoCal-based multi-unit franchise operators to discuss Everytable's growth and potential.
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The Daily Show (audio), An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests.
🙌🏽 FairNation
Heroes come in all forms, even a carton of whole milk.
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.