Introduction
In recent discussions on dependency versus independence, it is obvious that many people do not really understand what this is all about. Dependency can be viewed as a phenomenon that is associated with a state of being in need. Development theorists view dependency as a discipline in social science, arguing that resources flow from what they call the “periphery” or impoverished and underdeveloped countries and states to a center usually referred to as a “core,” which is composed of wealthy states (Newshool, 2009). These wealthy states get rich as a result of resources exploited from the periphery or from the way in which the underdeveloped states are integrated into the world economy. In the case of independence, the states are entirely autonomous hence considered self-reliant. Does one need to be entirely autonomous so as to be considered self-reliant? This question needs to be looked at critically in keeping in mind that independence and dependency exist in the world today.
Theoretical Framework
To relate these two aspects to each other, we can put the two variables in two perspectives. First, think of an individual who is dependent and is completely reliant on another member of society. For example, young children are completely dependent on their parents and other members of the family. This is a complete dependency. On the other side of the spectrum, an individual can be completely independent. The independent individual may be isolated completely from the rest of society. If I were to be asked, I would say I am not in a position to tell whether such an individual exists. This will be described as completely autonomous, and there will be no form of contact with other people. A myriad of choices exists for all of us. At the two extreme ends, people will view the concepts differently.
Humans are Social Beings
Are these two variables healthy for society? This has been a controversial issue in society today. On the one hand, some argue that complete dependency is obviously unhealthy. Human beings are considered social creatures, and we exist in this world with the help of others (Ajagi, 2010). They also continue to argue that an uncontrolled independent member will become isolated in the sense that they will use the independence factor as an excuse to hide from the rest of the world. It is against this backdrop that the author is going to discuss the issue of dependency vs. independence and how this will be affected if medical aid was cut. To this end, the author is going to focus on various issues.
Medical Aid Crisis
Withdrawal of financial aid is a big blow, especially to third world countries that depend entirely on foreign aid in many aspects. The most important aspect is medical expenses that are high, making it hard for an individual to afford quality health care. This requires the independence of a particular nature (Amin, 2006). The ongoing debate on foreign aid is unfair, considering the fact that wealthy individuals continue to access huge sums of money while at the same time denying an African child a mosquito net to prevent malaria. This is simply unacceptable. They should not debate against foreign aid because this is cruel and insensitive.
Financial Aid Irony
Millions of children die annually from diseases that can be treated or prevented (Anonymous, 2010). Impoverished states and their governments cannot solve these issues by themselves (Ajagi, 2010). With assistance, they can overcome these challenges. Lives have been saved by global organizations’ funds. If these funds are withdrawn, many people will be affected negatively. For example, the number of AIDS orphans will increase, and the health of many people will deteriorate. No one will pay attention to the pleas of the poor people, and the so-called independence will be affected (Moyo, 2009).
Others seem to like the idea of withdrawing medical fund. They argue that governments should be self-reliant. The blame is put on the government involved. They have a perception that the aid from their state or country is so huge and that if they continue saving lives, the world will experience a population explosion. They do not understand that by saving the lives of children, many families will reduce the number of children. This is due to the fact that they will adhere to family planning rather than compensating for lost or likely to die children by increasing the number of births (Sachs, 2009).
A lot of people are not aware of the many good things that aid can do. Financial aid leads to a better future in some countries. There are stories and testimonies from stable countries that have used aid to spur economic growth. Countries that are stagnant can as well benefit from financial aid with time. Instead of some countries cutting aid, they should reduce their food consumption and instead encourage the production of food, particularly in African countries (Ajagi, 2010).
In his book Dead Aid, Moyo (2009) notes that aid has failed to meet the expectations of many people. It was expected that aid would generate growth and alleviate poverty in third world countries. He argues that development is easy to attain. He explains three factors that need to be put into consideration in order to attain development. This includes expanding growth, fighting poverty, and reducing people’s suffering. Aid hurts countries more than it assists them (Moyo, 2009). There is no country that has alleviated poverty or achieved sustainable economic growth as a result of financial aid. Doing this only encourages dependency and supports corruption, inflation, debt burdens, and so on.
The author of this paper would like to respond to this argument by referring to Sachs (2009). According to Sachs (2009), interventions through Marshall Strategies in Europe, as well as the Green Revolution in India, have affected the economy tremendously. It does not matter what kind of aid it is (whether finite, sharp and short or open-ended). Dependency on aid leads to unemployment in many countries.
But why should we cut back on aid? Who will benefit from this? Though countries that depend on foreign aid (for example, Africa) are worse off today than they were forty years ago, this does not mean that aid is totally bad. But proper measures should be put in place as far as international aid is concerned. The important thing here is to build these countries’ healthcare and create a healthy and successful nation (Anonymous, 2010).
My view is that independence or dependency, notwithstanding, foreign aid should not be stopped. Those against this issue should put in mind that withdrawal will have negative consequences touching on human rights. Those organizations that are committed to helping poor nations through humanitarian services will be compromised in the sense that their work will lose meaning. This is, for example, the United Nations.
Financial aid is used in underdeveloped world to cover all transactions incurred in the international market. Most third world countries especially in Africa are not in a position to take care of their citizens and financial aid is their only hope and option. Denying aid to these countries is the same as sending them to an early grave even before their fate is determined (Amin, 2006). To this end, medical aid is a priority and it should not be paused.
My view is that this medical aid should not be halted. This is because halting it will create big problems that have never been seen before. We should be careful about what we bring to the table. It should not hurt others but rather, it should benefit them.
Though I agree that medical financial aid or financial aid in general has been compromised, I still maintain that the effects of withdrawal are not good and we need not take chances. For example in the event of an outbreak of communicable diseases like anthrax or polio, many governments do not have skills and manpower to handle the calamity. But with medical aid, such problems will be solved and therefore the world will be a safe place to live in.
The Way Forward
The author of this paper has noted the importance of foreign aid to many socio-economic developments. This is especially so in the case of medical aid. Drawing from arguments made by various authors, it is obvious that foreign aid awarded to various nations is misused and this has affected their economy in one way or the other. This is why many feel that aid should be halted. Although some may argue that foreign aid should be done away with completely, I hold that this should not be the case. On the contrary, the financial aid should be encouraged and appropriate measures put in place to avoid misuse. It is noted that there is lack of transparency as far as foreign aid is concerned. Accountability and responsibility should be encouraged in most developing nations. With this in place, people’s lives will improve.
To get out of this quagmire, the economic state of developing countries should be restructured by funding different sectors appropriately. I would disagree with Karen Slick (as cited in Newshool, 2009) when he states that if foreign aid was stopped the common person will not notice. I strongly oppose this notion. The common person will be affected especially if medical aid is stopped. Other financial aids can be terminated, but for medical aid, I think there is insufficient evidence to convince me otherwise. Some may argue that these countries have received aid for over forty years but still they remain poor. I agree with the view that the West should export knowledge to the developing countries especially Africa. I affirm that intellectual wealth in a nation will lead to freedom as well as prosperity. It happens that knowledge is the commodity that is lacking in these nations.
Conclusion
I conclude by stating that as much as you would like to halt foreign aid to developing and third world countries, you should note that humanitarian aid in times of crisis and outbreak of diseases as well as disasters is very useful. For example, HIV/AIDS has been declared a national disaster in many developing countries. Interfering with medical assistance will not be a good idea. I believe medical aid is working and it has saved many lives in Africa. Independent observers will agree with me on this. So please do not cut financial aid lest we face consequences that may be uncontrollable.
References
Ajagi, I. (2010). The trapped economy. Ibadan: Heinemann.
Amin, S. (2006). Unequal development: An essay on the social formations of peripheral capitalism. New York: Free Press.
Anonymous. (2010). Effects of aid in Africa. African Development Journal, 23(2): 20-26.
Moyo, D. (2009). Aid ironies. New York: The Huffingtone Post.
Newshool, J. (2009). Economic development. Pennsylvania: Tint Press.
Sachs, J. (2009). Aid ironies. New York: Free Press.