African Aid Example

NY Girl looks at Niger, a failing state by almost any definition. As I've discussed, she argues that an "oft overlooked aspect is the role of the aid agencies in perpetuating the image of crisis." Indeed, NY Girl says it's not just "image":

The flood of foreign aid creates economic problems by driving down the price of locally produced grain & produce, forcing farmers who might otherwise be self sufficient into poverty. It also leads to the governments of the recipient countries to become less reform oriented as they lose the incentive to do so.

Ironically, it may even cause hunger, as has happened in some villages where the men have locked up the surplus grain & forbidden its consumption by their wives & children in order to receive aid. These men have an excellent understanding of the workings of aid agencies & are happy to exploit them. The women & children of Niger are paying the price.

Ideally, the U.S. and E.U. would drop remaining agricultural and textile subsidies and quotas, opening domestic markets to African exports. Don't hold your breath.

For now, the West should emphasize small, market-oriented loans and funding to individuals, not governments. Unless litigation-happy "progressives" make development aid verboten under the "living Constitution." Think of it as "double secret probation."