Given the rise of illiberal capitalist regimes as alternatives to democracy, we need to ask ourselves whether foreign aid should be used to support oppression of dissidents around the world. Ethiopia offers a perfect case study. The Bloomberg reports that mountainous east African nation receives aid to the tune of $3 billion annually. This makes the country the second highest aid recipient.
Yet the aid has not been accompanied by corresponding gains in democratization. In stead, the state has used, “donor- supported programs” to “control the population, punish dissent, and undermine political opponents.” In my opinion, it is criminal to fund a government that is openly abusing the rights of its citizens. At the very least, aid can (and perhaps should) be channeled through civil society and independent NGOs.
Etienne
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