Practice Essay #9: Aid to Underdeveloped Nations

Question: Developed nations have an obligation to provide aid to the underdeveloped nations of the world.  Describe a specific situation in which a developed nation might not be obligated to provide aid to an underdeveloped nation.  Discuss what you think determines when developed nations have an obligation to provide aid to underdeveloped nations.

Answer:
The statement suggests that it is the duty of developed nations to help those nations that are less fortunate or underdeveloped. This is assuming that the developed nations are indeed better off than the underdeveloped nations. It is only natural for us as humans to want to help out those who do not have what we have and to help those who are less fortunate. It is comparable to the feeling that we get when we pass a beggar on the street. Although it is not always possible for everybody to provide aid to the beggar due to various reasons, there is a natural tendency that compels us to help the beggar out when possible or at least have pity for them.

Providing constant aid, however, does not always lead to the improvement of an underdeveloped nation. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” If a helping hand is always available, the underdeveloped nations can become dependent upon the aids and not learn how to survive on its own. In such a case, the developed nations are in fact helping those underdeveloped nations but are only doing so in the short term. A good example of this would be the situation in Africa. For the most part, it can be said that the country remains as a whole pretty much underdeveloped even though it has received a fair amount of aid from other nations over the years.

It only seems right for developed nations to provide aid to underdeveloped nations. It is part of human nature to want to help those who are less fortunate. There are certain situations, however, where providing such a helping hand does not lead to the improvement of those underdeveloped nations. In the short-term sense, the aid does temporarily alleviate the conditions of the nation but in the long-term sense conditions might return back to normal or become worst. So when deciding whether developed nations should be providing aid to underdeveloped nations, it should be determined whether providing such aid would help the underdeveloped nations truly improve, become independent, and be able to survive on its own afterwards. It should address the underlying problems and not just be a temporary bandage.