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Australian Foreign Aid Argumentative Analysis

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Australia’s attitude to foreign aid had changed quite a bit over several decades and is now focused on pragmatic considerations of national interest rather than the greatest need. After examining some of the history of Australian foreign aid I will consider the greatest need argument and explain why it is not necessarily the correct moral response to need. I will conclude by arguing that a special relationship exists between Australia and its immediate neighbours which, while not negating claims of greatest need, does need to be factored in utilitarian moral considerations.

Foreign aid refers to the economic or military assistance given by one country to another (Firth 2011: 290). The practice of foreign aid began in the aftermath of the Second World War as a way to help rebuild Europe. From the very beginning, however, aid was not a purely altruistic endeavour as the United States of America (US) needed a strong Europe to continue to purchase its exports and therefore keep the US economy going (Firth 2011: 286). As a result of the aid, Europe flourished, and so did the US economy. Foreign aid today continues to primarily be political and promotes the interests of the country …show more content…

I claim that it is in fact the moral thing to do as Australian has a unique and special relationship with, and responsibility to, its immediate neighbours. Australia is far more fortunate than its neighbours (Firth 2011: 283) and has a responsibility to help as an economically strong and successful country in the region. If spending foreign aid locally has other benefits for Australia such as security or commercial contracts then that should judged as a bonus, not as the primary driver. The moral case for regional assistance is more powerful and more

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