US Foreign Policy on Africa

Foreign policy is the federal government's responsibility. The US over time has become more involved and more aware of foreign affairs. The US almost feels obligated in today's world to assist nations in serious need. So what is foreign policy? Foreign policy is the intervention, or course of action, a government implements on nations other than their own nation. The following paragraphs will discuss the United State's Foreign Policy on Africa in the past and present.

Africa is not a first world country, but a third world poverty stricken land. Africa does not have a vast wealth comparable to the United States, but does have plentiful resources. Africa focuses more on extracting raw materials than industrialization. Unfortunately, fifty percent of the people live in poverty, thus creating a major issue of continuing economic impoverishment. Such destitution violates all norms of decency, especially when expressed in terms of denial of basic human needs. Forty percent of Africa's population suffers from malnutrition and hunger. Primary school enrollment is only 67 percent (low). Primary health services generally remain unavailable, reflected in an infant mortality rate of 93 per 1000 births, twice as high as Latin America. Excluding South Africa, Africa's debt is 20 percent higher than its total annual income.

During President Clinton's term, the US did not give Africa the promised support and US economic aid to Africa fell 25 percent from 1995 to 1996. The President developed one specific plan for Africa, but unfortunately, the US has not designed a program to properly administer aid to individual African countries, for they all have differences in education, land, need, human rights records etc. Although the US should focus on assisting foreign nations including Africa, due to recent terrorist attacks on September 11^th, the US currently remains focused on terrorism as thousands starve and live in poverty. Also, the US does not contribute very much at all economically compared to its own wealth. The US is the richest country in the world, yet helps Africa very little. Only certain allied African nations receive aid, while African nations with extremely poor human rights records get cut off from US aid altogether. The US has attempted to make Africa more market oriented to influence their economic growth. The US considers trade as a developmental tool and a replacement for providing aid to Africa. US trade with Africa is a minuscule 2 percent of overall US foreign trade.

The US must provide a way to get Africa out of debt and off of reliance from foreign aid. Africa cannot stand on its own two feet and constantly require foreign aid. The US does supply loans to Africa, but the poorest nations get trapped into debt because they have no way of paying them back.

The US can contribute significantly towards Africa's economy, but currently chooses not to. Africa has a negative history in poverty, human rights and apartheid. Not only does the US offer aid, but other countries as well. If the US provided more opportunities for aiding Africa, then their economy could have the chance to industrialize and eventually develop into a progressive first world country. Instead of constantly providing aid to Africa, the US should develop ways for Africa to take care of itself and develop on its own without foreign aid. The US currently transports missionaries to Africa to educate African children. Through education Africa will have a better chance at improving its human rights, poverty, economy, and over all well-being.

Source: "American Government Continuity and Change" by Karen O'Connor and Larry J. Sabato