Tutorial 2 - Should we help citizens of other countries?

Question 1

What are the arguments against helping citizens of other countries?

Answer 1

1. Providing aid can hurt poor countries (dependency rather than self-sufficiency bc of free aid)
   - Counter –> makes it seem black and white (Does the person have a chance for self-sufficiency? Also, those on welfare are NOT lazy)
2. Aid doesn’t solve the root of the problem (corrupt gov’t might be the issue, being reactive instead of proactive)
   - Counter –> All or nothing argument, aid can be used to solve the root problem, not being able to solve the problem doesn’t mean that we can’t give help
3. We should solve our own country’s issues before helping others
   - Counter –> We can spend now to help solve the problem or spend later when we actually need to deal with it, also look at how much we’re spending
4. Political unrest/Unpopular decision
   - Counter –> issues like gay marriage and women’s suffrage were unpopular, so it’s unavoidable

Question 2

What are the arguments for helping citizens of other countries?

Answer 2

1. Canada as a good world citizen (not being ostracized)
   - Why would someone help us if we don’t help others?
   - Counter –> nations would still make alliances w/o Canada if we don’t help (we lose on trade agreements, international relations, etc.)
2. Tangible benefits for the world in general (ending sweatshops, deforestation, pollution, human rights violations, etc.)
   - Counter –> would increase prices for Canada, not our job to help, may not help much
3. Helping because it’s the right thing to do (moral argument)
   - Counter –> this is naive optimism, kind of like the all or nothing argument
4. Wasted potential (smart minds being born in impoverished countries)