The recent upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa mark a great time for America to make new progressions in our efforts of providing economic aid to the regions. The presence of a middle-class in these regions are missing, creating a large gap between the upper-class/high authority figures and the lower class.
In North Africa, the current government cuts off prosperity, which could lead to development and diplomacy, by depending on government and NGO assistance, as well as foreign investments, but that only benefits the elite. There is a need for social and physical infrastructure in this region, and these needs are not being met. The World Bank's Doing Business Rankings show that countries that allow participation in local businesses thrive such as- "Mauritius(No.24), Botswana(38), and Ghana(87)"- in comparison to- "Mozambique(No. 141), Zimbabwe (158), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (181). The countries that allow self run small businesses often thrive fluently, not to mention the men and women have their own support systems. If the low-class was able to start small-self-owned businesses, which a handful would grow into large businesses as time passes and a middle class forms, social and physical infrastructure could come naturally with a steady fund.
Similar to North Africa, the Middle East is in need of a self generated economy in place of government aid. There is currently an air of 'chronic corruption, poor socio-economic performance, and a persuasive sense of stagnation' which can not be changed overnight. In the 1980's some Arab countries initiated political reforms in order to support multi-competitive elections, but the efforts faded by the 1990's. This is reflected in current times, with Arab governments 'curbing political participation, manipulating elections', and limiting the peoples' freedom of expression. It has been a real struggle to plant democracy into these countries, as there is many other priorities along side that, and a true democracy may be out of reach without a true commitment from the United States.
Economic aid may not be the solution to the need of social and physical infrastructure that are necessary to these regions. Keep in mind that the Marshall Plan worked because loans were made to businesses first, which then were able to support social and physical infrastructure in the long run.
Sincerely,
Brandi Coley
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