If spent carefully, overseas aid is a vital tool of every neo-con. It can be used as a force for spreading liberty across the world: promoting democratic parties, preventing terrorism, stopping disease and starvation. Too often, the critique of neo-conservatism, has been that its objectives can be achieved through the use of arms. "You can't drop democracy from the barrels of a B52 bomber" is the oft quoted refrain.
But neo-conservatism is much more than that. It is as much about hearts and minds as it is about using military force. It supports muscular enlightenment: helping to create and sustain a rule of law, religious tolerance, equality towards women and property rights. Democracy - parliament and elections) is just one of the components of freedom, not the whole sum. International development is one of the means to achieve that objective.
You can argue about the level of aid, or even that some of it gets wasted. Both have validity. I have my own views about finance ending up in the hands of terrorists in the Palestinian Territories for example.
But the principle, that wise aid can advance the cause of greater freedom -for countries suffering from repression - remains strong. Just because some aid is mis-used, does not mean that all aid is a waste of money.
So, I welcome our Government's support for a decent level of overseas aid spending - especially if it is used to advance muscular enlightenment around the world.
P.S. It is well worth reading Sir John Major, who makes a similar point HERE
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
Sounds a lot like the "White Man's Burden" to me! Let's save the Stirling and give these people the right to determine their own destiny without the Foreign Office meddling in their affairs.
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