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Jordan Gates
Anderson
AP Lit
5 November 2012
Benefits of American Aid to Third World Countries
America has long been the country by which the standards are set; it is used as a model
that other countries strive to emulate. As a nation where dreaming is encouraged, it is a common
belief that everyone deserves an equal and fair chance at achieving those dreams. Our
determination, pride, and innovation are what set us apart from other countries and are what have
helped us to amass our great wealth and luxurious lifestyles. Knowing all this, is it not only our
privilege but also our human duty to go out and help those less fortunate than ourselves? For
those in other countries who are without simple necessities such as clean water and food,
America shines as a glowing example of what they wish could be for their country. Yet they are
without the means to create this reality for themselves, which is why the U.S.A. has formed
programs to go out into these impoverished countries and develop them from the root up.
Without American aid many of these people would not make it through the day; they are
dependent on American sent food and services in order to sustain them.
Organizations such as United States AID are the main supporters of several countries
found all over the world. Their assistance programs play a critical role in the development and
sustainment of these countries as they invest in agriculture, combat mortality rates, promote
democracy and human rights, elevategender equality, and develop the economy of the foreign
countries ("What We Do"). The mission of USAID describes their call to action as an American

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duty, reasoning “as beneficiaries of peace and prosperity, Americans have a responsibility to
assist those less fortunate so we see the day when our assistance is no longer necessary” (“What
We Do”). While some citizens may argue that it is not America’s job to care for other countries
they need to keep in mind that it was after all because of countries like the United States these
third world countries remain undeveloped. These poverty stricken nations had their resources
stripped from them and all economic possibilities taken away by developed countries who have
now left them far behind in the industrial race to the top. Harking back to the colonial times, it
was commonplace for other countries to come in and pillage foreign countries, taking their
resources for their own and using the natives as slaves to work their own lands. The historical
reason for present day poverty is that “when the colonizers left the colonies, even peacefully,
they not only left behind impoverished nations, but they had laid the foundation for long-lasting
poverty” (Rafick).For this reason USAID is working to help these nations catch up and work
towards the day when assistance will no longer be necessary and they can stand on their own two
feet. Some of their key accomplishments in health alone include the saving of 3 million lives
every year through immunization, 33% increase of life expectancy in the third world, and
through work with UN 1.3 billion people now have access to clean drinking water (“Key
Accomplishments”). Besides these impressive health statures, USAID also works to improve the
democratic relations with developing countries. Due to their efforts since 1995, USAID has
helped 36 make the transition to a democratic government. Furthermore, through American
investment in seeds and agriculture for foreign countries there was enough food to support entire
populations and famine and death were greatly reduced (Fig. 1). In turn these countries became
benefactors of United States enterprise, as they now comprise the main consumers of American
goods and exports.

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Fig. 1. Courbet, Frederic. A young child suffering from cholera receives food at a cholera
treatment center 2009, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Perhaps one of the most beneficial and widespread of organizations working to provide
foreign aid is the United Nations. Modeled after the League of Nations, the UN was formed in
the 1940’s as a coalition for peace and equality for the world. Since their formation they have
become the largest aid to foreign countries and are the leaders in development for third world
nations. The United States is a permanent member and one of the largest contributors of this
organization and as such is an important part of the UN’s success. Millions of people all over the
world benefit from the service of the UN as their programs serve to decrease illiteracy, feed the
hungry, cure disease, and promote equality and respect. As stated in Article 55 of the UN
Charter:

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“With a view to the creation of conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary
for peaceful and friendly relations among nations … the United Nations shall promote:
higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social
progress and development …” ("Global Issues: Development").
Their programs such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are the leaders in advancement with the UNDP working in
166 countries to create solutions for development issues, and UNICEF working in 190 countries
towards betterment of education and health care for children. It is apparent that without this
outside aid these countries would be in an even worse situation than they are presently. They rely
on this aid for help to do what they could not on their own.
Besides helping other countries, foreign aid is also beneficial to America. By aiding
developing countries we form trading partnerships, which in the end will support the United
States economy as we are given access to raw resources and then assured a buyer of our exports.
Yet there is one goal that surpasses economic reasons and that is the expansion of democracy.
Through the aid programs the United States government is able to instill democratic and
American values into the foreign countries, lending them a hand as they seek to develop their
fledgling governments. Newfound democratic nations serve as supporters of the American model
and as proof that humans have the right to not only a public opinion, but also the right to voice
their opinion in order to decide the fate of their country. Studies have also shown that the
majority of Americans are in favor of giving aid to impoverished countries with 81% of those
polled stating that they as Americans have a “moral responsibility” to supply poor countries with
food, water, and shelter ("Publics in Developed Countries Ready to Contribute Funds "). Stewart
Patrick, an author and Director of International Institutions, found that many Americans had

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previously been misinformed of America’s expenditures on foreign aid. His studies showed that
they believed the cost to be much higher than its actuality and were surprised by the lower
figures, which account for less than one percent of America’s income. It was noted that
American public support had proved to be “resilient” even with the recession and hardships they
themselves faced (Patrick). Many Americans believe that is only fair that since Americans are
among the wealthiest people groups that they give back to those who are lesser off than
themselves.
Conclusively, one can deduce that from American foreign aid there will be benefits for
both the recipients and for America. For the destitute nation they will receive a helping hand that
will serve to develop their healthcare, education, economy, and government. But perhaps most
importantly they will receive hope, hope that they will be able to survive and come another step
closer to achieving their dreams which will no longer be quite as hard to reach. As for Americans
they will have a sense of fulfillment that comes from satisfying their moral obligations, and also
the economic benefits of new trade partners for those who are concerned for the well being of the
United States. Eventually through America’s help, these foreign countries willbe able to become
independent and fully developed to the point where they are able to function as their own nation
and no longer require outside assistance. Now that their own dreams are a reality they will in turn
go out and show others how to become like them; helping others like America helped them.
Works Cited
Courbet, Frederic. A Young Child Suffering from Cholera Receives Food at a Cholera Treatment
Center 2009, Democratic Republic of Congo. 2009. Photograph. Goma, The Democratic

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Republic of Congo. Meet USAID, The Social Exhibit. USAID, 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.
<http://50.usaid.gov/50-years-of-impact-in-images-viewer’s-choice-photo-contest/>.
"Global Issues: Africa." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/>.
"Key Accomplishments." U.S. Agency for International Development. USAID, 31 July 2012.
Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/highlights>.
Patrick, Stewart. "Patrick: Dispelling Myths about Foreign Aid." Global Public Square. CNN, 25
Jan. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/25/patrick-
dispelling-myths-about-foreign-aid/>.
"Publics in Developed Countries Ready to Contribute Funds Necessary to Cut Hunger in Half By
2015." World Public Opinion: Global Public Opinion on International Affairs. World Public
Opinion, 15 Oct. 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/btdevelopmentaidra/554.php?lb=btda>.
Rafick. "What Causes Poverty in Developing Countries?" Squidoo. Squidoo, n.d. Web. 11 Nov.
2012. <http://www.squidoo.com/causes-poverty>.
Rosset, Peter. "How Aid Could Benefit the Hungry." Global Issues. Global Issues, 25 Nov.
2000. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.globalissues.org/article/20/how-aid-could-benefit-the-
hungry>.
"What We Do." U.S. Agency for International Development. USAID, 9 Nov. 2012. Web. 11
Nov. 2012. <http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do>.