Why should we help African countries?

African countries should not have been invaded and conquered and colonized by other people groups. Would you like it if your country were conquered, invaded, mined and used for the benefit of another people group whose country is far away? I sure wouldn't.

The Golden Rule of doing to others what you would have them do to you applies in every area of life, including in helping countries in need. Would your country appreciate help if it had been conquered and colonized by another group of people, then left destitute and in disarray? Yes.

It's important to help African countries because we would like help if in the same situation. The Golden rule of doing unto others as we would like them to do unto us is vital for true peace in the world.

Helping others is a part of the good side of humanity. All people are humans. We are the human race. While there are ethnicity differences and cultural differences, we all are of the same species. Love is real, and we all are capable of loving each other and helping each other, no matter what is our country of origin.

You live in a dream world.

If I live in a dream world, it is a lovely dream.



You honestly would accept it if a group of people took over your country? Lol. What is your country? My country is the USA. I wouldn't just sit by if a group of people tried to take over my country. I don't care if the conquering group thinks they are more advanced or not.



People are not superior to each other. Rather, each person has talents and together, people can and do make the world a better place.

We clearly have different views on life so this debate isn't going to get us anywhere.

The consensus amongst many is that richer countries have a responsibility to help poorer countries, such as those in Africa. Why is this?

African countries were very keen to overthrow their colonial rulers, but the post-colonial era has been disastrous for Africa, with corruption, war and famine. Then, when it becomes apparent that these countries are unfit to rule themselves, we are asked to help them by donating money which makes no difference whatsoever.

African countries are the way they are because of incompetent leadership. These are sovereign nations and so should be responsible for the care of people. Why should rich countries, who have managed to successfully govern their land, be forced to help countries which have been unable to do so?

African countries made their bed by kicking out colonial powers, now they should sleep in it and try and sort themselves out rather than asking for money from successful nations.

Thoughts?

Cos they got rich off Africa? They exploited and in some cases continue to exploit wartorn countries in Africa to fatten their wallets. Aid is their obligation to Africa.

First of all, your argument is fundamentally flawed in the sense that they shouldn't have been exploited by colonising powers in the first place.

However, even if you accept this, it still doesn't mean that we shouldn't help them. You are mixing up history and politics with people. The people dying and suffering from destitution in Africa can't do anything about what happened in the past. The history and politics is irrelevant. They are humans, and as fellow human beings in a superior socio-economic state, we have the moral obligation to alleviate their sufferings and help them achieve the privileges that we accept as normal.

They don't deserve their suffering any more than you deserve your privileges.

First of all, your argument is fundamentally flawed in the sense that they shouldn't have been exploited by colonising powers in the first place.

It is the responsibility of the governments of these African nations to provide for their people. Whilst dictators continue to act in self-interest, we have no obligation to help them.

It was the colonies that threw them into that mess.

I disagree with the wording here. We are in a healthier socio-economic state. I shy away from the superior word/meaning because that leads some people to erroneously thinking some people are superior to others, when really some some states are healthier than others. No person is superior to another. Rather, all people are equal and have different talents that when used together, can help people.

No it isn't, because those governments are not in the social, political or economic position to provide for their people. It's very easy to say "It's not my problem" when you're living a life of luxury. If you were in Africa, living on a scorching, infertile and remote rural farm where every day was a struggle and half of your children had died of Malaria, I doubt you'd be saying that.

Point taken, but these countries can still make better use of their resources than they are now. Look at Apartheid South Africa and the former Rhodesia. Unequal? Absolutely. Strong economically? Absolutely. If these countries could adopt a different system then I would be more inclined to help them. As it is, our aid does absolutely nothing.

The consensus amongst many is that richer countries have a responsibility to help poorer countries, such as those in Africa. Why is this?

African countries were very keen to overthrow their colonial rulers, but the post-colonial era has been disastrous for Africa, with corruption, war and famine. Then, when it becomes apparent that these countries are unfit to rule themselves, we are asked to help them by donating money which makes no difference whatsoever.

African countries are the way they are because of incompetent leadership. These are sovereign nations and so should be responsible for the care of people. Why should rich countries, who have managed to successfully govern their land, be forced to help countries which have been unable to do so?

African countries made their bed by kicking out colonial powers, now they should sleep in it and try and sort themselves out rather than asking for money from successful nations.

Thoughts?

Britain is not a rich country. We have 900% debt vs GDP. It costs us 7% of GDP alone to pay for our debts. We get 39% of our GDP in tax revenue. This means 18% of our tax revenue is spent on servicing our DEBT! Japan is 25% and is in stagnation right now. So can we afford to send money abroad for foreign aid?

No!