Liberty Prime

To solely concentrate on either providing basic living necessities or improving basic infrastructure is dangerously narrow-minded. To supply only the basics is to concentrate on the short term, and overlook developmental requirements for the country over time. And to strengthen or develop infrastructure alone would fail to help those who are in immediate need of living necessities. A combination of the two is simply the only realistic approach to alleviating global poverty.

Obviously, the first concern of every person is whether or not they and their family will be able to eat and have water to drink. These basic needs must be fulfilled before people are able to concern themselves about getting a productive job, or worry about their government (i.e. Maslow’s hierarchy). But for those who do not have to worry every day about whether or not they will be able to eat the next, country-wide infrastructures must be established or improved to increase the country’s potential output. An increase in production and a stronger economy will provide jobs and opportunities for those who have been lifted out of extreme poverty. One solution will not succeed without the other, they depend upon each other.

This is not, however, to say that it is the duty of wealthy countries to provide aid to others. A country’s first priority is always its citizens, and they must be provided for first. If there is a surplus or ability and a willingness to do humanitarian work, then a country should do what it is able to. But it is not by any means an imperative.