“Rain dancing”: the effect of the West on Myanmar’s development

Overseas aid and its effect on the development of a country have long been debated by politicians and citizens alike. While the results have differed on a case-by-case basis, due to its subjective nature, there has been a growing trend of resentment towards the US, UK and EU (or the ‘West’) foreign policy in developing nations and the actual whereabouts of the money granted to helping the people in question. In contrast, the foreign policy action to freeze or restrict aid to an underdeveloped country has a similar effect, usually deterring the target country’s growth and development as a result of the senders’ own desires. In the case of Myanmar, the sanctions placed on the country have been ineffective and counterproductive, resulting in ‘rain dancing’: an action of reassurance that the senders despise the situation but have no expectation of changing the behavior of the target state, diminishing the well-being of its vulnerable populations in the process. Additionally, it decreases the possibility for democracy and the improvement of human rights. Image source: sfgate.com. > Continue.

Publications: Covalence Analyst Papers | Country: Myanmar | Company: Total, Chevron | Source: Jennifer Leon