Aid to Africa

Aid to AfricaSupport for aid to Africa is high, appears to be growing, and is higher than for other regions. In November 2000 PIPA poll respondents were asked whether US aid to Africa should be increased, cut, or kept about the same. An overwhelming 81% said that aid to the continent should be increased (31%) or kept about the same (50%). Only 12% wanted to cut aid to Africa.Interestingly support for aid to Africa appears to be rising. In June 1995, a Time/CNN poll found just a slim 48% plurality wanted to increase (13%) or maintain (35%) aid to Africa, while 43% wanted to see aid cut. In a November 1998 CCFR poll support rose to 62% for increasing (24%) or maintaining (38%) aid to African countries, while 29% wanted to see it decreased (16%) or stopped altogether (13%). When presented pro and con arguments for giving aid to Africa pro arguments do much better than con arguments. In the November 2000 PIPA survey, an overwhelming 72% found convincing the argument that Africa is the continent with the highest percentage of undernourished people, and where hunger is growing the fastest. Therefore the US should pay special attention to the problem of hunger in Africa (unconvincing: 26%). By a two-to-one margin (65% to 32%), respondents also found convincing the assertion that Africa has the potential to become a significant market for US trade. Therefore the US should make an effort to help Africa get on its feet.By contrast, only 24% found convincing the argument that The US has no vital interests in Africa. Therefore the US should make Africa a lower priority when deciding where to distribute its aid (70% unconvincing). However a 53% majority of respondents found convincing the argument that the corruption in the governments of African countries is so widespread that US aid does little good there. Arguments For and Against Aid Focused on AfricaProConvincingUnconvincingAfrica is the continent with the highest percentage of undernourished people and where hunger is growing the fastest. Therefore the US should pay special attention to the problem of hunger in Africa.72%26%Africa has the potential to become a significant market for US trade. Therefore the US should make an effort to help Africa get on its feet.65%32%ConConvincingUnconvincingThe corruption in the governments of African countries is so widespread that US aid does little good there. The US should stop throwing good money after bad.53%41%The US has no vital interests in Africa. Therefore the US should make Africa a lower priority when deciding where to distribute its aid.24%70%Support for aid to Africa countries appears to be higher than for countries in other regions. As mentioned, in the November 1998 Gallup/CCFR survey, 62% wanted to see economic aid toAfrican countries kept the same or increased. This was higher than the level of support for any other region asked about, including Russia (54%), Israel (52%), Poland (53%) or Egypt (47%).Interestingly support for aid to Africa is higher than for foreign aid in general. In the November 2000 PIPA poll 40% wanted to cut foreign aid in general, but, only 12% wanted to cut aid to Africa. In the November 1998 CCFR poll 48% wanted to cut aid in general, while 29% wanted to see it reduced for Africa. In the focus groups PIPA conducted in the summer and fall of 2000, knowledge of the problems in Africa and support for aid to Africa was quite high. As one woman remarked: I think if we dont do something in Africa soon - if the world doesnt do something in Africa - youre going to lose more people than what they are losing now. I mean AIDS is rampant, health issues are unbelievable, their hunger is unbelievable, their governments ar