Matthew Tubin comments,
apropos the large increase in bilateral overseas development assistance to Africa
under the Bush Administration:
Given the geostrategic competition that is emerging over oil (Nigeria, Chad
and even the Sudan) and influence in Africa between the United States and
China the substantial rise in bilateral ODA is not surprising.
This is mildly depressing: There was definitely a certain amount of hope at
the beginning of the post-cold-war era, that aid might become depoliticized
and targeted at poverty reduction rather than at geostrategic goals. Is Bush’s
aid to Africa simply a pleasant byproduct of his trying to keep increasingly-important
oil producers onside? And if so, does that bode ill for poverty reduction?
Felix —
The other interesting variable that I would suggest is probably behind Bush Admin and until rescently Republican Congressional interest in foreign aid and poverty issues in Africa has much to do with the influence of Christian NGOs and other groups who were particularly influential in related campaigns like recent HIPC developments.
If you break down aid flows to Africa, I am sure there is plenty of AID that is not directly tied to short-term direct security interests, however I would maintain that the overall shift in policy is directly correlated with a major geostrategic shift. The political economy of AID literature typically focuses not just on military alliance type of concerns, but economic interests and if I recall most recently – the literature has also shown a role for serious concern with poverty questions.
Even if all of that is true however, thinking that somehow the world has changed because of the end of the Cold War is naive.
Nevertheless, I think anyone who cares about Africa – should view renewed competition over Africa’s political soul and economic resources as an opportunity to which sophisticated African politicians might be able to use to help solve African problems. Opportunities do not forecast success, but we should be happy they exist given the countervailing forces of destruction like the AIDS Pandemic.
Very useful information in this post. I never even thought to look for a study like that. That is why I read, to find great information like this. Thanks
Very useful information in this post. I never even thought to look for a study like that. That is why I read, to find great information like this. Thanks