Lifestyle > Train of Thought
Is the U.S. really the most generous nation?
Don Rizzle:
--- Quote from: Ant on December 21, 2004, 10:01:08 PM ---
--- Quote from: Rampant on December 21, 2004, 07:07:46 PM ---Heres what i dont get.
America started out as a poor nation, we had nothing, absolutely nothing. We progressed and became what we are today. What is stopping these other nations from doing the same.
--- End quote ---
Part of the reason is our current competitive advantage makes it impossible for them to compete, and the things they are good at we subsidize so they can't sell to us. For example, many third world countries have an absolute advantage when it comes to farming. They could sell us food and make a bundle of money, but they don't because we subsidize our farming industry. We give government hand outs to farmers so they can compete with 3rd world farmers. Also, in most industries we've developed competitive advantage to the point where they can't possibly compete without huge investments in capital, but since they are poor they cant easily afford those investments. Finally, we don't let 3rd world countries protect their markets from foreign trade. In other words, we prevent them from subsidizing their markets.
These are economic explanations for why some countries are better off than others. For a different, and more in depth, take on the issue check out Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393317552/qid=1103695302/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-5342276-9707832?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
--- End quote ---
you hit it on the head there, farming is seen as a strategic industry to a country so if we had a war we need the farmers to be able to produce our food at home, however this is becoming less and less relivant with the increased communications and supply networks around the world yet the industrialised nations still subsidise this industsry and many others (america was the leading advocate of free trade after ww2 as it missed out of trading with countries within empires as they only sold inside the empire, now there lots of free trade but america still uses protectionism on its failing industries) The EU tried to scrap the Common Agricultural Policy a couple of years ago but it was the bloody french who wouldn't allow their one of the richest countries in europe and french farmers make the most out of the CAP basically goverments pay for food to be left in a barn and rott away to keep farmers profictable but what this also does is create a culture of over producing because you know all going to get baught up and 3rd world farmers stuggle to get into many markets because they are being countries are hugely subsiding their innefficient farmers.
In this new world order we are in now britain no longer has a formal empire, but when we did we had special trading agreements where trade within the empire was always given preference and the gap between the 1st world and the 3rd world was much smaller, even after independence these we carried on until we joined the EEC where obligations to europe meant we had to place a tarrif on those countries outside of europe.
Thirteen:
--- Quote from: Ant on December 21, 2004, 09:52:27 PM ---
--- Quote from: Needles Kane on December 21, 2004, 06:46:17 PM ---and how are americans the least generous when americans give the most money?
--- End quote ---
i'm going to be nice and point out now for the 3rd time that I was refering to government sponsored foreign aid. This post has nothing to do with the amount of money U.S. citizens give away.
--- End quote ---
then you should really change the title of the thread because it makes no sense, we happen to be the most generous nation no matter how many different ways you want to mix generous and nation up
BigBDrugStores:
the usa as a whole gives alot. if the government doesnt give alot than o well. we have habitat for humanity. we give alot to the red cross.alot of money. if the government doesnt give owell the population will. plus there isnt an international law that says 1st world countries have to give to 3rd world contries.
King Tech Quadafi:
--- Quote from: Mauzip a.k.a. Kerstman on December 21, 2004, 02:27:40 PM ---
--- Quote from: Rampant on December 21, 2004, 09:57:00 AM ---Well technically America doesnt have to give shit to anyone, so they should be glad that were giving something.
--- End quote ---
Absolutely. 3rd World countries don't need money; they need an industrial revolution.
--- End quote ---
You need an education
BigBDrugStores:
--- Quote from: O.G. Techniec on December 22, 2004, 08:47:16 PM ---
--- Quote from: Mauzip a.k.a. Kerstman on December 21, 2004, 02:27:40 PM ---
--- Quote from: Rampant on December 21, 2004, 09:57:00 AM ---Well technically America doesnt have to give shit to anyone, so they should be glad that were giving something.
--- End quote ---
Absolutely. 3rd World countries don't need money; they need an industrial revolution.
--- End quote ---
You need an education
--- End quote ---
well they do need an industrial revolution. that would help them become a "developed" country
i dont see why he needs an education
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