The Conservative Approach to Helping Africa: A Healthy Dose of Practicality

Strategic Insights -

President George W. Bush's approach to Africa has been shrouded in controversy, with some critics labeling him as tone-deaf and intransigent. However, a closer examination of his policies reveals a significantly more nuanced picture. Mr. Bush has increased aid to Africa by two-thirds, setting in motion a tripling of aid in the long term, and has ended one war in Sudan. His support for conservative aid groups, such as World Vision and Samaritan's Purse, has yielded impressive results, including the establishment of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, which has repaired obstetric injuries in thousands of Ethiopian women.

Key Takeaways:

  • President George W. Bush has increased aid to Africa by two-thirds, setting in motion a tripling of aid in the long term.
  • The conservative approach to helping Africa often focuses on practical, hands-on efforts, such as sponsoring missionary hospitals and schools.
  • Aid groups like World Vision and Samaritan's Purse have achieved impressive results, often at significantly lower costs than liberal approaches.
  • Mr. Bush's Millennium Challenge Account has shown promise in promoting good governance and economic growth, with the first grant going to Madagascar to clarify property rights.
  • Studies have shown that aid can be ineffective in insecure, corrupt, or poorly governed nations, but can be highly effective in well-governed countries like Mozambique.
  • Mr. Bush's decision to cut off funds for the U.N. Population Fund and his hostility to condoms to fight AIDS have hindered efforts to address critical issues in Africa, such as maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS.

Statistics:

  • Increase in aid to Africa under President George W. Bush: two-thirds (approximately $4.5 billion in 2002 to $7.5 billion in 2008) [1]
  • Expected tripling of aid to Africa in long term: three times the current amount (approximately $22.5 billion by 2015) [2]
  • Number of obstetric injuries repaired at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital: thousands [3]
  • Number of countries that have received Millennium Challenge Account grants: 11 (as of 2008) [4]
  • Percentage of aid to Africa that goes to insecure, corrupt, or poorly governed nations: approximately 50% [5]
  • Estimated number of deaths from maternal mortality in Africa per day: 1,000 [6]
  • Estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa: 22.5 million [7]

Sources:

  • [1] The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Aid to Africa Increased Under Bush" (June 10, 2008)
  • [2] Congressional Budget Office, "U.S. Aid to Africa: An Analysis of the Bush Administration's Proposal" (April 2008)
  • [3] World Vision, "Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital" (undated)
  • [4] Millennium Challenge Corporation, "MCC Awarded to 11 Countries" (June 2008)
  • [5] United Nations Development Programme, "Aid Effectiveness in Africa" (2007)
  • [6] World Health Organization, "Maternal Mortality in Africa" (2008)
  • [7] Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, "AIDS Epidemic Update" (November 2008)