We need reminding that we are one of the wealthiest nations on earth. If there is poverty in this country it is due to the unfair distribution within the UK. This where the populist policies should be directed. It has been variously calculated that the money given in foreign aid actually generates more money for this country. Much of the ‘foreign aid’ is actually spent in this country, especially on services. This is without the positive relationships which develop and lead to trade.
I have not mentioned that aid could help reduce poverty in poorer countries! Mainly because I am not sure that is an overall, or even a major factor. Propping up corrupt, but sympathetic regimes, funding arms deals (under the guise of internal security), ensuring access for multinational mining and petroleum-chemical companies are the real reasons.
So I may have contradicted myself here. I started off being critical of foreign aid reductions, but perhaps in the long game they would actually benefit countries. Non receipt could mean less exploitation. However there is a caveat! If we cut aid, China will certainly step into the void, and for all our faults I think we might, marginally, be a better bet in the long run? Having just written this, I am not so sure? Rio Tinto have just paid out a $6billion special dividend.
And before you accuse me of not understanding stocks and shares – I will tell you that money is not more important than morality. These mine companies exploit workers in unbelievable ways, shareholders can risk losing (what they can afford to lose) whilst the workers risk their lives. However I suspect China just want to be able to grab a share of the poverty cake!
And then we come to conflicts. Here I am confused (Or hope to be naively confused). In Northern Nigeria and much of sub-Saharan Africa a war seems to be raging between muslim extremists and .. anyone else? Now these are poverty ridden societies on the whole. Agriculturaly based and subject to climatic changes (and probably change!), where the F do they get the money for their insurrections? Unfortunately I think I know there answer! although I will admit to not understanding the nuances of it.
The petro dollar wealth of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States is in many ways obscene. It allows them to continue with virtual slavery, misogynistic and homophobic policies and racism. Oil is propping up countries that export extremism across the world.