A provocative argument against development aid

[Nada Jung]

 

Dambisa Moyo makes the assistance of the Western world, responsible for Africa's suffering.

 

 

Senseless Help

A provocative argument against development aid

 

Drought, economic mismanagement and corruption have brought untold suffering to the people in East Africa, with no end in sight. While the first aircraft with relief supplies set off to Africa, a woman calls the end of development aid.

 

Somalia, Ethiopia, Biafra: We've stopped counting the famines in Africa. The images penetrate our minds, but not in our hearts. Packages come with the hungry never get there. Development assistance has become questionable. But what's the alternative? People starve to death? No, says the economist Dambisa Moyo. Acute assistance was important. Harmful is another form of assistance: those of Western countries, because they sink money into the coffers of control of African rulers. Stop it, says Moyo and breaks a taboo.

 

Criticisms of development aid industry

 

Development assistance has grown into an industry giant.

 

"I have an idea how we could put pressure on Germany for example," said Moyo. "Controlled order, where the money goes. We should to say: If you have money sent to Kenya and Kenya screw up, you'll get a penalty one pile Kenyans as immigrants. The German reaction: 'Okay, okay, we control the Kenyan government .' "From cold places like the World Bank headquarters in London, the help is organized. Moyo himself has worked for the World Bank. Today, she criticizes the aid industry, as she knows it. This industry has half a million jobs is an anonymous octopus that is self-powered. And how free are African governments?

 

"People expect governments to build roads and schools and provide for public safety," said Moyo. "We economists call that 'public functions'. In Africa, however, these public duties assumed by the international community. GTZ is building schools, the U.S. AID built hospitals, the British Difid provides for example for new roads. And the African governments have no more job."

 

Western-backed despots for 60 years

 

Bob Geldof launched 1985 "Live Aid".

 

In 1977, Bokassa leaves crowned himself emperor and the world applauds the despot. Moyo's thesis: For 60 years, created the Western aid such complicated structures and thus democracy. "Think about how democracy works at all," said Moyo. "In democracy, people may choose to show whether they are satisfied with their government. But if a government is meaningless, as in many African countries, then the citizens they no longer hold them accountable." Dambisa Moyo has landed with their theses one bestseller. She says what many do not even dare to think, and makes enemies. The title "Dead Aid" is a dig at "Live Aid", the biggest charity concert ever.

 

Bob Geldof, the initiator sees his life's work dirty and poisoned against Moyo, his arguments are so helpless, like Madonna's ridiculous action. In high heels she laid the groundwork 2009 for a school in Malawi, which is never built. Several million dollars have been sunk. "The stars travel around the world and talk about disease, poverty and war," says the author. "They have nothing positive to report on Africa I find that problematic. Why they do not say: 'Look, how hard the people work also in Africa. We should invest our money in Africa.' That's the story that must be told."

 

Africa may be rich

 

Queuing for food, so does the western world Africa.

 

Our image of Africa is dominated by two stereotypes: Colonialism and misery. Dambisa Moyo calls on the media, finally a new, to draw an optimistic picture of Africa. Because who wants to invest money in a continent that sends images of the misery around the world? Dambisa Moyo was born in Zambia. She studied economics at Harvard and Oxford. She is not powerful, but their word carries weight. The "Time Magazine" chose she among the top 100 influential people ranging. Their solution for Africa is an economist. Africa is to let the endless spiral of development behind them and help raise money on the capital market. That the interest rates would be astronomical, so brush aside and said: Africa may be rich, go public. But how realistic is this paean to capitalism?

 

"It does not matter whether you love the markets and capitalism or not," says the economist. "The fact is: He is a successful model. He has improved our standard of living. All that Europe and America have achieved so far, they now owe even capitalism." He has improved our standard of living all of what Europe and America have achieved today, owe it now time to capitalism." And then fetches Moyo in a steep from thesis: Chinese investors will bring prosperity to Africa. Africa had the resources that China need: oil, copper, timber, grain. The facts seem to give it right: The Chinese build a functioning infrastructure in fierce pace and create jobs. The dark side of China's new colonial - environmental sins, aggressive farming - Moyo will not see.

 

China and Africa

 

"The Chinese are not perfect," said Moyo. "They also bring problems to Africa. But it's not their job to chase our dictators to hell. The Western countries have a problem with that. They thought they would bring democracy to Africans or religion. They think they have the internal affairs African states to regulate. The course we have to realize:.. the Chinese are not there to Africa, they are there for the Chinese." Moyo's ideas are bold, the questionable success, but there is not much more daring, to continue as before? Moyo says the West is treating Africa like a minor child. And if she is right, Africa is already out-break free.

 

09.09.2011 / Teresa Corceiro - Translation: Nada Jung

 

 

Dambisa Moyo "Dead Aid: Warum Entwicklungshilfe nicht funktioniert und was Afrika besser machen kann"
Haffmans & Tolkemitt 2011
ISBN-13: 978-3942989015

 

Dambisa Moyo "Dead Aid: Why Development Assistance does not work and what can Africa do better"
Haffmans & Tolkemitt 2011
ISBN-13: 978-3942989015

 

[Béatrice LATEUR LACROIX]

We have to really share with "others". An onld economic study in France showed if everyone who works give 10 % of  what he earns, everyone will have a roof over his head, enough food and medecine and the opportunity for children to go to school from 6 to 11 years.

I don't know if it is always true but I contine to give 10% of my money to international helping associtations.

Real sharing seems to me to be an obviouness.

Love and Peace for all Beings

[pascal]

excuse me but please be mindful with the help, source information is important, there have been many abuses reported in so-called helping huge humanitarian organizations. huge amount of money was "lost" during for example, tsunami relief support for Sumatra and Sri Lanka victims. Although i am not adept on this topic and dont want to discredit good relief management, i would rather fund friends who are on the spot, or local people with reliable background and clearly defined projects.

[Béatrice LATEUR LACROIX]

Yes, Pascal : the best way to help is to work with local people for clear projects.

Thanks for saying your opinion with gentleness.

Love and Pece dor all Beings