Charity begins in self-interest

What could be problematic about charity by rich countries? Isn’t it the most natural thing for a rich nation to help poor neighbours? It is widely accepted that things are more complicated than that. When charity comes from foreign countries to the government or to NGOs, it is not just altruism that drives it but mostly self-interest and, in fact, extending grants is not charity at all. That is what the book Foreign Aid to NGOs: Problem or Solution? concludes in its critique of all foreign aid directed to non-profit organisations in the country over the last five decades.

Pushpa Sundar, the author who is also the co-founder of the Sampradan Indian Centre for Philanthropy, puts together arguments for and against foreign aid in the context of the three players — the government, NGOs and donors. She speaks from every possible angle with a dash of irony and humour that makes the book a good read despite the swathes of names, numbers and other data related to grants and funds the reader has to cut through.

The book traces the link between self-interest and aid to the very origin of official development aid by rich nations. For instance, Western Official Development Assistance had two origins — the US fear of communist extremism and European imperialistic politics. For the US aid was an extension of the Cold War containment policy towards the poorer nations of Asia, Africa and southern Europe; for European donors, the aid was directed at their former colonies.

Full report here Business Standard