Global Development: Views from the Center

Kinda funny coming from the most protectionist candidate out there...What good will a cabinet level post do for developing countries if he won't trade with them?

Restoring America's Moral Leadership by fighting Worldwide Poverty John Edward 08, America was known for that in the late Sixties when I did my Primary education we used to get powdered eggs, powdered milk, oil and mealie meal as a mode of assistance. Looking critically on what I have heard over the radio(global warming)and the effects brought about by this, there is need for America to restore that moral leadership. The three killer desease AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria aggravate the poverty. Investing in clean water immunizations and preventive medicine will surely counteract the poverty cycle in the long run. Above all, appointing a senior advisor responsible for global poverty will prove the highest rate of accountability by the responsible Organization. God bless you.

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Francisca 'Mapitso Matsoha

This definitely won't make him a front-runner for the primary, but it does make me hope he can become one.

In response to earlier posts, maybe his cabinet-level minister will tell him that he ought to trade with them =).

The proposals put forward by John Edwards are very interesting and practical if at all are not aimed primarily at gaining political support and winning an election. The priority areas of education, preventive health and greater economic and political opportunity will offer a new hope for the majority children not able to be in school in developing countries.
One thing that has to be given due attention is how John Edwards and his team will work with the International NGOs and other development Partners to achieve this dream. There are Agencies like Christian Children's Fund that have gone miles in Uganda for instance, establishing schools, water sources, providing scholarstic materials, training local communities-families with livelihood skills that have changed the family living conditions. Am just giving one example here but there are a host other agiencies like ACDI/VOCA that establishes local network roads, Compassion International which is majorly dealing with child education support. I believe there is need to work with these agencies, share their experinces and have plans, goals and expected outcomes that are feasible.
Economic and Political provision has to be tied to the 'openning up' of markets that the developing countries have been asking for decades now. The United States' moral leadership restoration has to open and widen their domestic markets for the goods and services from the developing countries than just micro enterprise and promotion of labour and property rights. Again here Mr. Edwards has to take care of the political agenda that has dominated US support since the 1948 Marshal Plan. Overall, this strategy from Mr. Edwards is workable.
Paul Mayende,
Graduate Student, International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, Makerere University, Uganda.

The proposal looks good and promising but of course it depends on how "serious" that cabinet level position would be, i.e. accountable for policies and programs. Another administration post to throw money on the problem and create antipoverty programs without being accountable to deliver results is not going to solve the problem or do much real good.

Foreign Assistance Act is in need of a major “upgrade.” It is a different world today from the one of the Cold War. Now we have to turn nations and people from becoming terrorism breeding grounds, before it was about buy those nations to keep the Soviets out.

In all sincerity I don’t think Edwards will win the nomination (primary) with this program, but any other candidate, from both parties, will need to provide something as similar and serious looking (if not even better) to restore the seriousness and sincerity of the U.S. in economic development of LDCs and its foreign policy.

Ditto Jessica's statement. I was thinking the exact thing. What does Nancy have to say about Edwards' protectionism.

A parallel question would be regarding Sam Brownback. He's committed to fighting global poverty, yet he's got big ties to the farm lobby.

Hooray that John Edwards is at least putting global poverty on the table. Have any other candidates (from either, or an unaffiliated, party) put forward comparable proposals?