More of the world's conflicts arise out of emotions than out of economics.
"There is a widespread belief among Americans that all human beings are motivated mainly by aspirations for a better life and that they will pursue these aims steadily and with good sense when the opportunity is offered to them. This ignores the fact that there are passions in men which are more powerful than the simple aspiration for a better life- passions based upon religion, nationalism, pride, prejudice, tradition, and so on. More of the world's conflicts arise out of emotions than out of economics. War itself is very bad economics. Still, we cannot seem to get it through our heads that offering people a chance to improve their standard of living does not in itself cause them to behave consistently in a purely rational manner. Man is not content with material things alone, and economic opportunity is only one of his aspirations."
Some Right and Wrong Thinking About American Foreign Assistance
by Thomas E. Naughten, Director, U.S. Operations Mission in Thailand,
International Cooperation Administration,
January 27, 1959
Some Right and Wrong Thinking About American Foreign Assistance
by Thomas E. Naughten, Director, U.S. Operations Mission in Thailand,
International Cooperation Administration,
January 27, 1959
posted by Sarah at
4:48 PM
2 Comments:
war makes bad economics? Apparently no one who is involved in making foreign policy now has read this document.
By
Kate, at 4:46 AM
I think what he meant was that the sort of economic "boosts" that war gives are the sorts of boosts we should avoid. While it seems it is good for an economy, it is only good for the economy of the side that destroys someone else's economy. You've also got to consider this was in 1959.
And I'm going to guess that no, no one in foreign policy today probably has read this.
By
Sarah, at 6:08 AM
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