The Essay Process

Research Question

Does giving aid to developing countries really help them?

Stand

No, aid has been channelled to developing countries for many years but most are still poor, and some of the aid has been abused. Also, the developed countries seem to gain more from the aid economically.

Outline

Developed countries have always given aid to developing countries. However, despite the aid, developing countries seem to stagnate. The elite in the developing countries are corrupt and the channelled aid seems to enable them to live comfortable lifestyles, and the poor do not benefit much from the aid. Aid has been given in the form of food, money and medical services and supplies, building infrastructure etc.

Topic Sentence

The causes of poverty should be pinpointed and both developing and developed countries work to change them

Body Paragraph 1

Developed countries pledge an amount of their national income to help alleviate hunger and disease

Problem: People in developing countries do not control their birth rate based on their earning capacity. This has resulted in too many children being born who cannot be adequately provided for. Moreover, education is generally not as valued in developing countries as it does not bring immediate economic benefit. Also, corrupted governments squander money meant for helping their citizens.

Solution: Base aid on birth rate control and education of children, as these are likely to make a difference, coupled with the medical and infrastructural aid. Ensure strict monitoring of funds.

Body paragraph 2

Developed countries benefit more from the supposed aid.

Problem: Some developed countries give aid on condition that the developing countries buy goods and services from the country providing the aid, which is also known as tied aid. This usually has the intention of benefiting the developed country, and big firms and therefore economy of the developed countries benefit. Firms in developing countries are often no match for the big firms, even though more aid is now being untied, and if they cannot acquire adequate business knowledge and experience, the economies of developing countries will not improve much.

Solution: The reliance on foreign firms cannot be totally eradicated, and the foreign firms also have the potential to develop the economies of developing countries e.g. providing jobs. A possible solution would be for foreign firms to mentor local firms in the developing countries, for example, in the running of humanitarian operations. Transferring useful knowledge helps to empower local people to change their situation.

http://www.povertycure.org/issues/foreign-aid/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tied_aid

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/audio/geography/pdf/foreign_aid.pdf

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/datablog/2012/sep/21/why-is-uk-aid-going-to-uk-companies