Foreign Aid as a tool for Foreign Policy

Foreign aid is defined as voluntary transfer of resources from one country to another country, at times as leverage to cohorts the receiving country do what the donor country wants. But it may be given as a signal of diplomatic approval, or to strengthen a military ally, to reward a government for behavior desired by the country giving the aid, to extend the donor's cultural influence, or to gain political strength here at home as abroad. According to the USAID website, foreign aid is given through eight different types of monetary assistance. These eight different forms of assistance are agriculture, democracy and governance, economic growth and trade, environment, education and training, global health, global partnerships, and humanitarian assistance. From 1980 to 2008, U. S. total foreign assistance has increased from 9. 69 billion to just over 49 billion in 2008. From the 49 billion spent in 2008 alone, close to 15. 5 billion was spent on military aid while the rest was divided between economic assistance in fields such as agriculture, international development, and other economic growth and trade programs. The largest recipients of the two foreign aid subdivisions, military and economic aid, went respectively to the regions of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. The country in the Middle East with the highest recipient of aid was Afghanistan, with close to 9 of the 49 billion dollars of aid in the 2008 year alone (USAID, 2013. ) As we can see a lot of our tax payer’s money goes abroad to countries many American cannot find on a world map, but we need to help these countries for the safety of our people, at least in the eyes of every politicians in office. American liberals, as described by Bob Burnett of the Huffington Post, fall between two primary types of camps that determine their views of U. S. Foreign Aid. Idealists and realist camps, focus on the need for international humanitarian aid which is similar to our own domestic welfare on a national level (Burnett, 2006. ) They tend to favor foreign aid as a means to educate and develop relationships through cooperation and financial funding. Other far left liberal groups discourage military spending while encouraging to increase social programs internationally. They believe that poverty stricken countries in need of assistance otherwise known as â€Å"Third World† countries are indebted to other countries which lead to their current status as reported on the Green Party Platform (GPP, 2000. ) As a primary focus to foreign aid and success to developing nations is the assistance to increase food production, availability to clean drinking water, reduction of infant mortality, and improvements toward health by means of the green revolution. Lastly, they utilize terms of humanitarian aid as to be consistent with their egalitarian values. In recent discussion to reform the current foreign aid policy, Democratic representative Howard Berman introduces a reform proposal â€Å"Global Partnership Act of 2012† to replace the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act. This policy would restore budget functions towards the USAID and develop new funding mechanisms focused on innovation, microenterprise development, and rapid humanitarian response, and reduce violence against women (Mungcal, 2012. In addition, this policy would focus on reduction of global poverty, accelerated economic growth, agricultural innovation, advancement in health, combating diseases, global education strategy, gender equality, assistance to persons that have been affected by conflict or disaster, and monitoring/investing towards sustaining upward success and control of financing through government regulations (HR, 2012. ) Thus, they create a more specific rational belief to solve foreign issues utilizing our government system to regulate. When observing the implementers of the USAID they have nearly 2,000 experienced employees (USAID, 2013. Other proposals by liberals represented by the Green Party express international solidarity maintaining peace and security through a global green deal. This particular deal will concentrate finances on universal education, food, sanitation and purified water, health care, and family services for every person on Earth. This particular proposal â€Å"Fund Global Basic Human Needs† would gain funding by retiring the military from our economy and closing all overseas military bases In addition, eliminate the CIA, NSA, and all other covert Warfare in order to reallocate funding towards aid. Lastly, this platform would eliminate debt from poverty stricken countries thus creating emphasizing their egalitarian beliefs (GPP, 2000. ) Another foreign aid announced by President Barack Obama is the Global Health Initiative that would continue to develop from the pre-existing program by President Bush, President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. This continued improving program will expand to other countries instead of only Africa, it would encourage prevention, care, and treatment while strengthening government partnership and invest in research internationally to maximize outcomes (UNAIDS, 2009. In addition, they seek to reduce higher statistics of disease contraction and mortality of women and children while strengthening global health partnerships. Based upon the ideological spectrum of liberal beliefs, through their core value of rationalism they exhibit faith in human reason to solve complex problems that cause poverty in third world countries. By creating regulatio ns, education about health and finances, and encouraging progress towards mutual goals through the Global Partnership Act of 2012, liberals believe that underprivileged countries will progressively develop towards sustainability based upon human rationale. As an egalitarian belief, liberals from the Green Party believe and promote human equality by their party platform of universal health care for every person on the planet which indicates equal treatment by means of education, health, and services. They promote internationalism by means of equal treatments towards other countries and foreign aid reform of the PEPFAR towards all countries instead of the countries within the African continent. Moreover, liberals seek change as soon as possible which led to the speedy approval of PEPFAR and Africa’s request for assistance in regards to immediate medical attention and assistance. Therefore, the liberals utilize the government as a strong feature to decide and guide towards our faith in solving socioeconomic problems internationally while attempting to cultivate foreign governments with their ideology. Lastly, they value their belief of individual liberties and encourage the development of foreign countries so that their citizens will be treated fairly and just by their government. When approaching foreign aid as a contemporary American conservative, they utilize the term foreign policy as opposed to aid as a reference of government action rather than a community decision. They seem to favor foreign policy by means of military and health care; however, the primary goal is to develop relationships with foreign countries to prevent conflicts. Although they discuss creating trade agreements and forming partnerships, they seem to be strategizing in terms of security and protection for America. In regards to funding, conservatives don’t seem to favor the idea of increasing tax spending towards foreign aid and seek to reform due to their subjective views on failed results. Therefore, they view investment towards a flawed foreign policy will lead to more spending in military forces to protect America from unstable countries. Moreover, I feel that conservatives have a strong belief in nationalism and would want to share this system by encouraging other undeveloped countries to conform to our system. As a conservative perspective towards foreign aid, our government allocates tax payers funding towards the Millennium Challenge Corporation or MCC which would utilize a procedural form of selecting certain countries by means of performance while being evaluated by a board and executed by 300 employees (MCC, 2013. The criteria would be based upon whether or not they can compete with other countries in regards to Gross National Income of low or middle class sustaining, improving their quality and performance as a country, or graduating with a year If there are no signs of improvement or potential, they would not be eligible for the next year and be left to thei r own elements. The form of criteria emphasizes a value of elitism on the competitive national level. Basically, if a certain country is not deemed successful due to lack of intellect, strength of its citizens, or ability to overcome poverty then we decline assistance. In another perspective, we can view our system of criteria and success based on the survival of the fittest which is a value of inequality. In addition, the goals of the MCC are to leave the responsibility of the foreign government to facilitate their own success towards growth in health and agriculture, create partnerships, and property rights (MCC 2013. ) We basically leave their government in the faith of the invisible hand to guide their success rather than micro managing their success by means of government. Lastly we encourage property and individual right through the investment policy to reduce poverty. As discussed by James Roberts a researcher for International Trade and Economics, â€Å"MCC's selectivity and associated seal of approval creates powerful incentives for developing countries to uphold democratic and free-market principles, invest responsibly in their citizens, and transition their economies from developing to emerging markets† (Roberts, 2013. ) He encourages a core value of faith in non-human institutions by means of a free market rather than government controlled. In addition, the MCC encourages national accountability towards developing democratic reform and trade policies thus validating their values within nationalism. In a recent proposed foreign aid budget, Josh Riggin reports, â€Å"The long-term budget announced on Tuesday by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan would cut the budget for international affairs and foreign assistance by 29 percent in 2012 and 44 percent by 2016 while increasing the defense budget by 14 percent over the same timeframe† (Rogin, 2011. Basically, he would be increasing the current spending bill on defense of 22 billion to 583 billion for national defense and security while decreasing national affairs from 37 billion to 22 billion. This validates the characteristic of the need to increase spending on defense or authority and stability with conservatives. Moreover, the decrease in foreign aid would be left at the hands of faith in non-human institutions. In a report by U. S. World News, Evan Moore and Patrick Christy claim â€Å"Aid is hard power. It is a weapon the United States uses to strengthen allies [and partners] and, thus, ourselves. (Moore & Christy, 2013. ) In this statement, they value a sense of authority, stability, and order in regards to security with military. However, due to sequestration to cut foreign aid, conservatives believe that it will avoid assistance towards promoting national security and create instability in weak states as well as on a global level. Basically, foreign aid directed towards developing a country will hinder strategic investment with allies in military which is the primary goal. As a statement towards nationalism, Gary Connor publisher of Palestine. Herald-Press, he claims that the U. S spends billions of tax payers’ money every year on foreign aid while we continue to be underfunded on a national level primarily with disaster relief, education, and border security (Connor, 2013. ) His conservative belief opposes internationalism while focusing on America as the priority versus developing countries that may not be contributing to our society. In addition, he emphasizes a sense of elitism in the aspect of the funding that was gained by tax payers should be used towards the tax payers despite the harsh reality underdeveloped countries. As a primary characteristic of a conservative, their primary worries in regards to the foreign aid policy are the unintended consequences. As reported by Thomas Eddlem contributor to The New American publication, â€Å"US foreign aid programs often funded autocratic regimes that have committed human rights abuses and stand against democratic principles† (Eddlem, 2013. ) In other words, American funding towards foreign aid has become the financing for their government to oppress and control opposing voices. Another report claims American aid to Egypt purchases in the last 30 years towards their regime that performs torture and brutality. The challenge to foreign aid is whether or not we have implemented proper authorities to ensure foreign aid given by America’s tax payers are being utilized effectively. Due to the conservatives lack of confidence in the government’s ability to create progressive results using the tax payers money, conservatives state that â€Å"Billions of American dollars from faith-based and other charitable, academic, and humanitarian groups go to the needy overseas every year and have far better results than government ODA† (Roberts, 2013. Although conservatives may seem reluctant to push towards foreign aid, their support through religious charity groups emphasizes a faith in non-human institutions. Contemporary American moderates would approach foreign aid in a collaborative value between conservatives and liberals; however, they would primarily compromise their beliefs to coincide with the current status quo. They would probably continue keep a balance of spending to aid foreign countries by means of finances and health assistance, but to primarily remain conscious as to prevent from leaning towards focus on the government for all assistance and seeking private donations as well. In addition, they would probably continue the traditional USAID form of foreign aid and balance with the new updated approach of the MCC or to combine both of these programs. In recent alternative propositions by the Foreign Service Despatches and Periodic Reports on U. S. Foreign Policy by Dobransky, he considers multiple alternatives in the views of moderates. The first policy would be to maintain U. S. foreign aid by continuing to utilize USAID and the recent version MCC. In the perspective of Americans, both forms of aid have been approved and criticized openly by multiple parties; however, they are both still being utilized and approved by congress as the usual form of application (Dobransky, 2011. The second alternative would be to merge both programs of the USAID and MCC which would primarily cause shared mass information to the public and be able to whittle down flaws and target areas of success to increase efficacy. Moreover, there would be one organization as opposed to two leading groups that oppose each other’s’ views despite a common goal. A proposition brought on by the Green Party that would encourage a global deal to fund tow ards education, food, and other basic needs to every human on this planet by means of American tax payers. Sounds like a truly selfless proposal; however, the majority of Americans would not want to place all resources and hard earned money to the rest of the world. This would probably exhaust America’s budget and would be impossible to ensure that every single person is receiving the same exact treatment. In addition, America would not want to sacrifice closing overseas military bases which would place our country in a higher and much vulnerable state due to weak security. When evaluating the MCC policy, they emphasize a rich value in elitism by means of leaving these countries to their own device. If we are investing in these particular countries by means of our tax payer’s money, we would want to see positive results by means of guidance and American political perspective to decrease poverty and social ills rather than finance countries then leave them to figure out how to succeed. In addition, with the amount billions of dollars spent to aid other countries we can afford to increase representatives of the limited 300 employees of MCC in order to properly work side by side with invested countries. Politicians in America use Foreign Aid as a weapon to achieve what they want from other countries, but they do not really see the real problems that this help causes in poor countries, or at least they act as they do not see it. For example Foreign Aid causes major corruption and even more poverty. The governments in poor countries do not really care about the people and they are not design like the government in the United States. If we follow the history of Foreign Aid, we can see that every time we help a country, we always end up fighting that country at one point or another. Foreign Aid should be limited and the US should hold the countries that received aid accountable for how they use it. Millions of dollars are lost in fraudulent contracts and misuse by the receiving governments, we do not have a saying in how these governments can use our hard earn money. For the US government to continue having the approval of the people in foreign aid help, it needs to fix the requirements for who qualifies to receive foreign aid, and also when to use foreign aid as a tool for foreign policy.

Discussion # 8 and # 9 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion # 8 and # 9 - Research Paper Example Obama care will cover all the populace, but by 2016 there will still be 30 million uninsured Americans, but they will be mostly those who cannot afford insurance or private medical treatment and fall in the gaps (Gregory, 2013). A Harvard study established that at this rate a huge number between 26,000 to 37,000 Americans will die because of not receiving medical coverage (Gregory, 2013). The major stake holders are the Policy Makers, Health Care providers, pharmaceutical companies, American Nurses Association and the patients who will be subjected to the policy (Bright, 2013; beforeitsnews, 2013; Front, 2009; PBS, 2009). It has been argued that setting criteria for people to be eligible for insurance in not ethical and also the cost of the insurance can be a heavy burden with lesser provision; especially when the burden of the policy is falling in major on the tax payers (Vecchione, 2012). Rather than focusing on health assurance and disease prevention, the Affordable care act focuses on disease treatment. Although America invests $70 billion into health care every year, the annual life span of an individual is 60 to 70 years (Coburn, 2013). A proposal must be written to propagate healthy life style and living; should be forwarded in the city council meeting and discussed there (Anderson and Mcfarlane, 2011. pp. 123-125). The concerned health care givers and stake holders of the community should be involved in the process. Vaccination and annual complete checkup should be an integral part of the disease prevention policy. After the disease prevention policy has been formulated adoption by community health centres and agencies. Educational and awareness programs should be arranged for people and even concerned authorities. The agencies should ensure adoption by hospitals, care givers, care providing facilities and homes. Charts should be maintained and individuals informed of their upcoming checkups. Monitory penalty in form of health neglect should be

Q1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Q1 - Assignment Example However, the insurance companies will have to provide coverage to every individual, without limit even to those with pre-existing health conditions. This process has been termed unconstitutional by US state supreme courts, arguing that the Americans should not be forced into health care coverage. Whether or not the bill solves the issue of health care as a privilege depends on the general implication of implementing the bill. The bill is likely to throw away individual mandate if implemented. What this means for the healthcare industry is that the pricing policies in the industry are prone to enormous changes that may not end up favoring the end user of the health insurance. Individual mandate provides a constant and a large pool of insurance coverage purchasers. In this regard, repealing the individual mandate is likely to increase American health insurance premiums. It is important to point out that the Americans who will be without insurance cover will opt to make use of emergency rooms as their healthcare procedure. As a result, the accrued costs from emergency rooms procedure will be shifted to the insured. The law’s purpose is to extend health insurance coverage to the American community. However, the law is prone to failure in the context of the high insurance premiums. This bill therefore, and the resultant law therein may not solve the health care issue as anticipated. The new health care bill has taken ethical and legal turns, with its applicability and benefit to the American society questioned. The Americans are expected to be health insured by the year 2014. Violation of this law will attract penalties as outlined in the law. However, the entire process has been termed unethical, because the law seeks to force people to comply. Freedoms of choice are hereby violated. The insurance companies will also be forces to cover all individuals, those with pre-existing

Seventh Grade Algebra and Learning through Experience Assignment

Seventh Grade Algebra and Learning through Experience - Assignment Example In addition, it is clear that through teaching with the experience of doing, a student will learn at a higher and more comprehensive rate than just being told the information. Through an examination of the idea of teaching seventh grade students algebra, Piaget’s theories and those of his followers provide some insight into the overall project. Modified Behavior Approach The learning situation that is being discussed is that of the capacity of seventh grade students to be able to solve algebraic equations using different orders of operations. The essential behaviorist approach is that of the constructivist radical approach that would be used during instruction. The development of the skill to solve algebraic equations begins through the basic skills that are taught at younger ages so that by the time they are ready to approach problem solving at the algebraic level they have a background that supports this new step in the process. The modified approach is designed using schema theory through which the learner is given time to apply knowledge that is previous to the instruction to the new mathematical problems. In addition to the schema theory, the use of the information processing theory provides a method of teaching learners through a variety of ways so that the information becomes entrenched into the cognitive processes that the learner is using. Techniques such as the use of acronyms provide a broad number of learning tools to effectively create the necessary knowledge. Using the cognitive approach in order to allow students a variety of ways in which to express what they have learned. Group work provides the structure through which the result of the lessons can be evaluated and expressed by the students. The core of the lessons is approached through the constructivist approach as it allows for students to learn on their own. Martin and Loomis (2007) discuss how the constructivist approach can benefit students. The development of a constructivist appr oach is based upon students using what they know in order to experience the development of answers through the use of tools that facilitate their understanding and growth in a discipline. Teachers are guides rather than didactic reciters of information. Through this basic concept, the development of the teaching method provides students with the opportunity to experience the act of learning. Piaget’s Theory Piaget’s theory defines learning through two individual criteria, that of development and of learning. Development is based upon the mechanisms of action and thinking, while learning is the acquisition of skills. Learning is based on the development of intelligence. Learning can only be accomplished when a child has the pre-requisite skills that are defined by those mechanisms that have come about through development. This provides for a separation of learning and thinking, providing for the opportunity to examine one and the other independently, even as they will a ct in concert. The concept of learning can be seen through the way in which the ‘factor of equilibrium’ is relevant to the overall event of learning. The example presented by Furth and Wachs (1974) provides a method of thinking about what Piaget considered the ‘factor of equilibrium’. If one looks at a plant it needs water, sunlight, and specific elements in order to grow. However, these advantages do not create growth, but the use of them creates the growth by the plant.

Data Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Data Management - Essay Example Data collected from the survey will be numerically coded and processed and analyzed using he computer software, Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) Version 17.0.0 (2008) and Minitab 15 (2009). Findings regarding the effectiveness of the education-based programs will be reported using appropriate graphs and tabulations. It is believed that education has buttressed it hold on its significance in development. In fact, Comim (2009) argues that â€Å"a proper understanding of current trends in development is not without a proper account of the role of education in the promotion of human flourishing† (p. 88). This study, therefore, aims to undertake assessment of how an educational programme among the Karen minorities in Thailand affected their quality of life and has prepared them towards brighter prospects in the future. With already more than â‚ ¤1.5 million laid out for its University Scholarships and Teacher Training projects, it is high time that a quantitative analysis of the joint effectiveness of the two education-based programmes be carried out to examine how the Karen tribes have benefited from their participation. The evaluation will consider the profile of the respondent Karen tribe beneficiaries in terms of the following variables designated as numbers 1 to 5 in the questionnaire: age, gender, programme, course, and category of participation. 1. Level of satisfaction of the programme participants with respect to the variables indicated in item numbers 6-19 in the questionnaire, namely: fair and equitable selection process; commitment and attitude of the KHT staff towards the participants; availability of provisions and resources for the conduct of the programme; monitoring of students/trainees while under the programme; support given to the students/trainees while under the programme; support given to students/trainees after completing the programme; funding, quality of education/training provided;

SEC 10K Paper on Target Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SEC 10K Paper on Target - Assignment Example The corporate headquarters of the company are located in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota - United States, and Mississauga, Ontario- Canada. The financial statements of Target Company to be analyzed are as at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February  1, 2014 were audited by Ernst  & Young  LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm on February 14, 2014. Profitability: Target Company reported the lowest profits of $ 1,971 in 2013 compared to $ 2,999 and $ 2,929 in 2012 and 2011 respectively. The company incurred huge investments in Canada whose returns was much less than the costs.. Its U.S segment reported profits that seems to have cushioned the company’s consolidated income. Long-Term Debt: Target has a long-term debt worth $ 12,622 million as at February 1, 2014. Types of long-term debts: notes, debentures. Long-term debts decreased in 2013 as compared to $ 14,654 million in 2012. Target Company suffers from poor credit rating. Retained Earnings: Beginning balance is $ 13,155 million and ending balance is $ 12,599. The retained earnings increased because of repurchasing of stock and also, part of the dividends declared was not paid. Target Company paid dividends worth $ 1006 million. Statement of Cash Flows: Ending balance is $ 6520 million. The cash balance increased due to the firm’s increased operations both in Canada and U.S investors always prefer investing in firms with prospective higher returns and potential to faster growth. Fast growing firms often indicate a net income but have their cash held in accounts receivable or depend too heavily on bank financing. This is implied by the items falling under investing activities of the cash flow statement. Our company always has a surplus cash budget. In summary, sales increased showing a positive

Describe and Evaluate the Circumstances in Which a Term may be Implied Essay

Describe and Evaluate the Circumstances in Which a Term may be Implied Into a Contract - Essay Example In some occasions the courts will read a term into the contract even though there has been no agreement. This could happen where the contract would not make sense if the term were not included. Implied terms can be implied by statute or by the courts. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 demonstrates how implied terms are used in contract formation. S12 of this Act implies that the person selling the goods has a legal right to sell those goods. Similarly s13 implies that the goods will correspond to the description if the goods have been advertised in a newspaper or catalogue. There is an implied term regarding the satisfactory quality of the goods under s14. It was decided by the court in Benfield (t/a Autoroute Circuits) v Life Racing Ltd [2007]1 that there was no implied guarantee that a particular outcome would be achieved. The court also found that there was no evidence to prove that the defendant was relying on the plaintiff for such a guarantee. Similarly the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 also have terms which are implied into the contract. Within that Act there is an implication that the services will be carried out with reasonable skill and care, within a reasonable time and for a reasonable price. In the past the courts have allowed claims under this Act where the goods have been of unsatisfactory quality, where the order has been delivered late or where the price is deemed to be unreasonable. In Walker Crisps Stockbrokers Ltd v Savill [2007]2 the court found that there had been a breach of an implied term of the contract that the broker would carry out his duties with reasonable skill and care. However in the case of Evans v Kosmar Villa Holiday Plc [2007]3 the court of appeal overturned the original ruling that there was an implied term that the holiday company would exercise reasonable skill and care in the provision of facilities and service at the