Six initial impressions on journalism

Six Initial Impressions

The United States of America makes the smallest contribution of all the industrialized nations to the foreign aid that is used to fight poverty in developing nations.

The Moral Duty of the United States

The moral duty of the United States to aid developing nations is widely unknown among Americans.

The Apathy of American Citizens

The apathy of American citizens toward taking action to combat the poverty that exists outside of their nation’s boundaries is greatly influenced by the American educational system. According to the author, the educational system fails to give the theme of global poverty priority across all academic courses.

American Citizens’ Legendary Misconceptions

American citizens’ legendary misconceptions about overseas aid influence their attitudes toward helping to battle poverty around the world.

Provision of Information

Provision of information on the severity of the poverty effects in the poor countries and the cost of saving lives in those countries can change the attitude towards foreign aid contribution.

Intensive Research on Giving Behavior

Intensive research on the giving behavior in the psychology area could help in discovering methods of changing the culture and attitude through ethical obligation.

Analysis of the Impressions

The author states that the United States (US) is ranked as the lowest contributor of foreign aid used in fighting global poverty. The US is reported to contribute 16 cents of every $100 earned in 2007 compared to the average of 45 cents contributed by the industrialized countries (Singer, 2009). The author provides factual information regarding the ranking of the US among its peer countries. The perception by Singer that the US contributes below its expected capacity is arguably misleading considering the evaluation based on a percentage of the total US earnings. According to Warshauer (2017), the new US administration has proposed the cutting of the foreign aid budget by almost a third. This proposal reveals that the US contributes huge gross contributions as foreign aid towards fighting global poverty.

The author describes the ignorance level among US citizens regarding the moral obligation to help poor countries as high. A survey conducted in 2005 by Gallup International Association showed that only 9% of US citizens accurately knew the percentage of national income the US gives as aid (Singer, 2009). The information from the survey provides a factual aspect for this impression. However, considering the information was provided more than 10 years ago, the situation might have changed for the current generation of US citizens.

Singer believes that the education system is partly to blame for the apathy among US citizens towards foreign aid. This impression is based on value since it lacks empirical evidence for support. The author arguably raises an important issue that should be addressed. The education system stakeholders should look for ways of incorporating studies on other countries across the disciplines to create awareness among students. The programs should not be limited to world poverty to enable development of universal problem-solving skills.

Clouded by mythical misconceptions, Americans refrain from adding the effort in giving aid to developing countries. They believe that their country gives the highest percentage of foreign aid to the Third World countries compared to the other industrialized countries. Belief also exists that there is misappropriation of the American aid given to poor countries by corrupt regimes. This impression is factually supported by the outcome of four surveys that show majority of American believe that the government spends between 15% to 20% of its revenue on foreign aid (Singer, 2009). The author states that only 1% of the government expenditure is directed towards foreign aid.

The author presents the severity of poverty effects through the number of people living under the poverty line and children deaths. The author uses figures from the World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund to make this impression factual. The poverty line, set by the World Bank at $1.25 per day, places 1.4 billion people to be living in poverty in the world today (Singer, 2009). The United Nations Children’s Fund reports of 27,000 children deaths from poverty-related issues (Singer, 2009). The author hopes that this information strikes the emotional nerves of US citizens and causes them to contribute.

Singer proposes that research in psychology and experimental aid projects will work in changing the attitude of the Americans towards contribution in foreign aid. This impression is value based considering the lack of empirical support. The author relies on the hope that his proposal will have a positive impact on the willingness to help poor countries. The effectiveness of the American aid in alleviation of poverty in developing world is arguably not concrete. The author recommends for a trial aid project whose effectiveness can be gauged through comparison between the outcomes of the assisted communities and the communities without aid.

Conclusion

The author emphasizes on the need for US citizens to contribute towards fighting global poverty through foreign aid. However, it is more important to empower the poor countries through foreign investments that would create jobs for prolonged earnings. Empowerment of the Third World eliminates the need for foreign aid and teaching to act from ethical obligation.

References

Singer, P. (2009, March 13). America’s Shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://www.chronicle.com/article/americas-shame/30309

Warshauer, W. (2017, May 24). Foreign aid is being cut, but business will keep fighting poverty. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/may/24/foreign-aid-is-being-cut-but-business-will-keep-fighting-poverty