let’s blame aid… again.

My mental debate for the day. A response to TMS Ruge’s article: Gay Policy in Africa: Sovereignty Determination or Aid Interference?

I would be very careful when making blanket statements about development/aid organizations. They are often there to help government learn how to handle neglect. Their intent is often driven by the basic fact that resources are pooled in one area of the world and international development might be the more effective and internationally controlled means of spreading these resources for human development, along with initiatives in the global corporate sector.

Second of all, the idea of “young” African countries – In theory, it is true. On the other hand, if African countries do not catch up the level of democratic engagement in many Western countries, their chances of evolving in tandem with these countries is limited. You will always be behind or falling behind. Therefore, Africa is faced with a double-burden of being “young,” but also of having to develop its own standards for development that are compatible with the big markets they need to enter. China figured it out. So can Uganda.

Lastly, in a sense, I agree that independent countries should be guided by the citizens within them and not by the moral dilemmas that aid organizations face in bilateral agreements. However, I think equal parts support from those aid agencies sustaining governments like Uganda and the will of the people (clearly strong in Uganda on all issues from gay rights to women’s rights) is a good formula. This means pressure on several sides and therefore a chance of greater success.

Frankly, I am getting a big tired of all these arguments blaming everything on aid and development. The world is not as black and white as this. We are having this argument because people previously perceived it to be so. Here is a particular case where nuances are needed in the debate and blanket statements do make caricatures (thanks @cbracy). Development has been around since before the 18th century in many shapes and forms. It’s not going anywhere so instead of laying the developing world’s problems on its feet (hrm, just as you did with colonialism), perhaps we can think of brighter arguments that combine the talents of development organizations with the sustainability of the corporate sector, just as we can understand that colonialism helped build the middle class that now rallies against anti-homosexual laws.