Poverty - Essay Example

Currently, the world is increasingly becoming more and more interlinked than ever before in the history of mankind .There has been an increase in trade as well as the movement of people amongst countries than any other era before us. However, the sad thing is that billions of people world over still live in abject poverty and in fact in several regions, the gap between the poor and the rich has been widening. America as the world’s sole superpower cannot and should not just sit by and watch as this ugly scenario unfolds. She should step out and make a difference in the lives of these individuals. The same case applies to her citizens (Geoffrey, 2004).
When America as a country is able to see the real faces of poverty; she will be able to see the need for stepping in and helping the poor countries. The very first motivation will be for humanitarian reasons. Thus, just like individuals who give their money for charity, America will see the need that it has a moral duty to assist people who are in other countries and are suffering from the devastating effects of drought, famine, disease as well as war. America also being the world’s superpower ought to donate money for not only her political ambitions but also diplomatic ones. America definitely wants to sustain a dependency relationship with the recipient countries or rather to basically influence the direction as well as the government of a given country.
The other main reason why seeing the real faces of poverty is important to America as a country and to Americans as individuals is for economic reasons .America may be interested in controlling the supply of such commodities like water, wheat as well as oil. America may also alternatively want to guarantee markets for their own home made products, such as shoes, heavy machinery, computers as well as planes. This is a critical reason why America should be at the forefront of supporting poor countries and not just turning a blind eye to them. American businesses as well as entrepreneurs need poor countries as much as they need them.
America may also be interested in seeing the real faces of poverty so that through her influence of global affairs, she can facilitate opening up of trade barriers so as to assist poor countries sell their products more easily, conveniently as well as profitably. On this same vein, America can see to it that punitive subsidies are removed so as to facilitate importation of products from poor nations; thus ensuring fair play and healthy competition. America as a global superpower can also campaign for the forgiveness of debts for the poor countries of the world. There are several poor countries that are burdened by enormous interest repayments on very old loans, completely crippling them and leaving nothing for economic development of their countries. This would really help uplift the poorest nations on earth and consequently improve the living standards as well, thus putting a smile on their faces. American citizens on the other hand can through various foundations and non-governmental organizations raise funds for scholarships of poor students, combating various deadly diseases such as HIV and Aids, malaria and so on, which will go a long way in changing the lives of poor countries (Geoffrey, 2004).
In conclusion, it is obvious that America as a country and her citizens being the big brothers of the world have got a very important role to play as far as changing the real faces of poverty is concerned. They have the means and ability to make a difference.
Works cited
Geoffrey, G. (2004). World Poverty:A Reference Handbook. New York: ABC-CLIO,Inc. Read More