The Price of US Success - Essay Example

America’s Shame America’s Shame America is one of the most developed countries in the world. It has a good gross domestic income. The living standards of its citizen are also high. They live in surplus but not in deficit. Their GDP is high because of high economic growth and development. In this country, industrialization is extensive. Unemployment and poverty is not a major issue in this country. This means that a significant portion of U.S citizens live above the poverty line of $1.25 per day. In contrary, developing countries lack or have much less of what America has. The living standards of the citizens are very low and most of them live below the poverty line. In addition, there is a very high level of unemployment. Joblessness causes poverty, which comes along with additional problems such as diseases. According to Peter Singer in the article, “America’s Shame”, America is failing its obligation with regard to giving aid to the developing countries or rather giving less as compared to what they have (Singer, 2009). This is because they are capable of giving much more because their GDP and level of living standards allow them. It is a shame for them to care less or not care about human lives that they can save if they want to. In one way or the other, America’s development has cost these countries so much. Their industrialization causes pollution that comes along with additional problems. Air pollution causes climatic disasters. This affects the third world countries in many ways such as reduction in agricultural output, which is a backbone for many residents in these countries. This accelerates poverty further leading to deaths of young children and adults as a result of hunger, which is preventable (Singer, 2009). In any case, developed countries started from somewhere and developing is gradual process, which calls for togetherness in building one another. A collective effort is important to get these countries out of poverty by fitting in the global market. This is where international trade comes in. My main argument with respect to Singer’s argument is that although America has an obligation to help the developing countries, these countries have a larger responsibility of improving their own countries. They do not need constant help from America but just base support to help them in improving their own countries and eradicate poverty. In as much as I agree with Singer that the U.S has the responsibility to aid the developing countries, these countries should use the aid as a way to move further and eliminate the idea of relying on the west for assistance. Poverty can be eliminated in several ways. Americans investing in these countries can make a big difference. The private sector contributes over 50% of these countries’ GDP. This is because it creates employment for the jobless. This earns them income and improves their living standards. Trade is not easy because of certain poor and unfavorable conditions in these countries. Provision of aid for trade would play a key role here. America can extend its financial assistance to facilitate trade through construction of favorable infrastructure. This is because infrastructure is one of the most important aspects in the success of trade. This would further facilitate local and regional trade that would help the citizens in avoiding and minimizing poverty. Good transport and communication network facilitates access to new markets and new resources that create new opportunities to increase production. A new market access leads to diversification of exports since many developing countries rely on agricultural products exported to foreign countries. This openness facilitates the removal of trade barriers like tariffs; therefore, making exportation easier. In addition, direct foreign investment improves the innovation and invention exhibited by the traders. Modern American technology would be helpful in this aspect. Use of the necessary up-to-date techniques, tools, and machines would facilitate both mass and quality production. This is because modern machinery improves production processes by increasing speed and ease of production. They also improve the quality of products and services. Traders get the best ideas concerning the right inputs to give high output that will sell in the competitive markets available. Trade would also promote entrepreneurship in these countries (Stoner & Wankel, 2007). This would create capital and promote economic growth. Such advancements would enhance governmental benefits such as revenue collection that are useful in provision of social services and other developments that include like building schools and hospitals. To fit in the global market, people need necessary education, knowledge, and skills. The world has become so competitive and therefore education that is in line with the worlds expectations is necessary. Education is the only way one can get a good job and earn a decent income that can assist in eradicating poverty. When misappropriation of funds is involved, development is affected negatively. The worst part is that whenever these funds are provided, they benefit the richest rather than the poorest. This means that the funds benefit the wrong few who do not deserve it. This causes unequal wealth distribution. The poor are then left suffering. This corruption discourages development in any country (Cullen, 2008). It occurs in all levels from local to top government officials. Foreign agencies bribe top government officials in order to gain contracts that involve extraction of natural resources from the poor who end up deprived everything. The officials continue being rich by embezzling the public funds necessary for development. This has a negative impact on the economic development, which improves levels of poverty. Due to corruption, there are poor development strategies that favor the officials involved. This brings the issue of inequality and violation of rules as well as democracy. These governments must work to eradicate corruption for optimal utilization of aid from the U.S. National governments in the developing countries also have the obligation in poverty eradication. They should formulate economic policies that aim at improving the economy of their countries. The implementation of the economic policies should also be equal and fair. Governments can encourage the poor to start small businesses by providing financial assistance inform of subsidies. Use of progressive income tax facilitates equal wealth distribution and economic diversification. Even though America has an obligation to help developing countries, these countries also have an obligation to adapt to changes. Help from others is not the main solution to poverty but the citizens themselves. Everything is possible with good morals and hard work. If the Americans became that rich from their hard work, why should developing countries lazy around expecting help. These countries hold their destiny. They only need little support in order to achieve their dreams and eradicate poverty. This togetherness will eradicate corruption in the society and create an inductive environment for development. Lastly, quality of education really matters in fighting poverty. Every developed country has highly literate individuals. Many educated children in developing countries are from few rich families. They all travel abroad for better employment opportunities leaving their home countries helpless. Children need to be taught the most appropriate skills for developmental purposes (Byerlee et al., 2007). Not only should they take the theoretical courses but also the technical courses that are very important in development. When the level of education is high, income would rise because jobs would be easier to acquire. This would in turn reduce the high crime rates associated with poverty and improve the situation further because good security creates conducive environment for more investments. This attracts more foreign investments in the country and promotes wealth creation. References Byerlee, D., Janvry, A. ., & The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, The World Bank (Washington). (2007). Agriculture for development: World development report 2008. Washington: The World Bank. Cullen, R. (2008). The poverty of corrupt nations. Toronto: Blue Butterfly Books. Singer, P. (2009). America’s Shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(27), B6-B10. Stoner, J. A. F., & Wankel, C. (2007). Innovative approaches to reducing global poverty. Charlotte, N.C: IAP/Information Age Pub. Read More