By Sylvia Slimak-Butler
It is tough to decide whether to use the "stick" method (punishment) or the "carrot" method (reward) to reinforce good behavior in children. They soon learn how to manipulate by being "really good" to get the reward or being stubborn where the "stick" has little reinforcement.
On the world stage, the "parent" can be the donor country (United States) and the " child" can be the recipient country for foreign aid. Foreign aid is given to promote economic welfare for the recipient country. It will also help to strengthen ties between the two countries, to maintain the government regime, and to influence international affairs of that country. Is foreign aid a "carrot" or a "stick" for the recipient country? A recent study (1973-2013) , showed that when 94 donor countries cut aid to 193 recipient countries that it actually strengthened relations (the "stick''). When aid was increased, the relationship was more likely to lessen. Recipient dependency can actually hurt a relationship.
Only 1%. of the federal budget goes for foreign aid. In 2021, $38 billion dollars in foreign aid was spent with the largest amounts going to African and Middle Eastern countries for emergency response, food security, and maternal and child health. However, more military aid went to Iraq and Afghanistan. Our malnutrition and child survival projects have helped 1.9 million people.
Does foreign aid end up in the hands of corrupt governments? No. About 21% goes to governments directly and the rest (79%) to non-profit organizations. with more strenuous accounting requirements. Howard Buffet's book :"Our 50-State Border Crisis: How the Mexican Border Fuels the Drug Epidemic Across America '' tells about the failure of foreign aid in Central America to farmers and businesses due to extortion by local gangs and cartels.
This month, $2 billion aid to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador was given to help tackle mass economic migration. Will this only benefit the gangs and cartel? War games are planned in Nicaragua for Russia, Iran, and China. In 2016, China paid $900 million for Margarita Island, the largest Atlantic port of the Panama Canal. Will U.S. aid money also end up here?
The advantages of foreign aid (helping humanity, national security, and U.S. World dominance) far outweighs the disadvantages as believed by 64% of Americans. Foreign aid needs to be given freely but monitored and decreased as the country becomes more self-sufficient.