What should the world do about Africa?

[Decadent Sympozium]

why doesn't the western world step in and do something?

Everything you typed is happening because the western world "stepped in". And none will be solved because they stepped in.

 

[Venetia]

We are not the police of the world.

The fact that we all share the same planet doesn't give the wealthy countries the authority nor the obligation of "rescuing" the poorer nations.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Venetia]

America, in fact, already gives and supports causes which give millions in aid and protection to poor african nations. "Fixing" them completely (read: Africa isn't a small continent, and their poverty goes far beyond "regular" poverty) would bankrupt us. And we would be even further criminalizing ourselves in the eyes of the rest of the world by imposing our moral standards on sovereign nations.

Again: Not the police of the world.

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

Keep in mind that I never specified that America and only America should take on a task like that. I mean the entire international community, such as the UN. You know, kinda the reason why they're there?

"The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights and achieving world peace."

 

[mawk]

it doesn't matter who's doing it. large-scale action is expensive, unnecessary, and generally creates more problems than it solves for all parties involved. small necessities like STI prevention are pretty much an unmitigated good afaik, but you can't just grab the wheel of another country and start driving.

as for the u.n., they can't do anything nowadays. they're underfunded and the countries that matter one way or another simply aren't recognising them.

 

[Venetia]

Plus I was only using the US as an example; I don't know of a major world power that ISN'T doing SOME kind of good-will work there for one reason or another.

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

Well those are better answers than THE UN ISN'T OBLIGATED TO HELP ANYONE, when uh, that's kinda why they exist.

 

[Venetia]

the UN was formed right after WWII as a means to establish more effective diplomacy and to try to prevent largescale war from broiling up right away (by providing an "official" means for political inter-relations). It replaced the League of Nations. It wasn't founded to directly help anyone in particular; it doesn't matter what's in their slogan. Also a lot of 3rd-world nations aren't even in the U.N., and NONE of the african ones are major contributors to it. Not even well-off ones like South Africa, Kenya, or Egypt.

summary: no, that's NOT why they exist.
it's why the red cross exists, but not the U.N.

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

Regardless of what it was founded for almost one hundred years ago, it's views have such changed. One of the UN's purposes is the economic and social development of the entire planet, which is why they publish things such as the Human Development Index, and drives forward the World Health Organization (which they apply to everyone, not just UN member nations).

So yeah, that's kinda part of the reason why they're here, in the year 2009.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

You keep saying that. Can you formulate a better argument, seriously? It's pretty weak.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

Alright. If someone commits a crime against you, say a mugging example, and you call the police for help, and they respond "Nobody is obliged to help each other. Figure it out yourself, we're not coming.", where's your argument then?

Also next time you get sick let's see you after the emergency room says that to you.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

Nobody is talking about America anymore, at least I'm not. I'm talking about the United Nations, which is you know, kinda part of their job? Something they're obligated to do, at least to some degree?

Seriously man, pay attention, follow the conversation.

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

So who do you mean by 'our', at least after you edited your original message? Who are you talking about?

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Feldschlacht IV]

Okay, but I wasn't talking about any singular one political entity anymore, whether it be America, England, Andorra, whatever. I was talking about the UN, which in fact, kinda is obligated. Once again, follow the conversation.