AboutRichard Aberdeen Expertise Author and songwriter; owner of Freedom Tracks Records, Nashville, Tennessee. Published three books available online at www.RichardAberdeen.com Can answer questions regarding the difference between Christianity and the historical Jesus and the differences between Christianity and what the Bible actually says. Extensive background in the Bible and biblical historical cultures. Lifetime student of history, biography and general sciences. Major sources of study include Encyclopedia Britannica, the Bible, Will Durant and many different world and American historians.
Experience Hands on experience helping the homeless. Have done extensive research on Human and Civil Rights, major historical figures relating to such and how Human Rights relate to the modern American experience. Author of 3 books and over 75 released songs.
Organizations The Aberdeen Foundation www.AberdeenFoundation.org Freedom Tracks Records www.FreedomTracks.com Tennessee Songwriters Association www.tnsai.com
Publications Published Songs: www.FreedomTracks.com/songinfo.html
Published Books: www.RichardAberdeen.com
Currently writer for www.examiner.com
Education/Credentials Self-educated; Extensive studies in Bible, ancient history, American history, general sciences and related studies; main sources include Encyclopedia Britannica, Will Durant and many different world and American historians. Information available at: www.RichardAberdeen.com
Question Dear Richard,
I have to do a project for school on third world debt and I have all the information that I need except that I need a couple of different views on it. I was wondering if you could give me a few different points of view.
-Will
Answer I am not an expert on third-world economics but I do have a couple of opinions on the subject.
First and foremost, unlike the practices of the United States historically regarding so-called third-world nations and most definitely, not like the practices of the current Bush administration, it is to every nation's advantage to economically help out other nations, as doing so builds international trust and important global allies. A good example of this is how the United States pitched in to help England, Germany, France and other European nations following World War II. Because we helped bail out troubled European economies, we developed lasting European ties and allies that are only now beginning to erode because of the extreme international shortsightedness of the current Bush administration.
Therefore, I think it is in the longterm economic (and self-protective) best interest of nations who hold such debt to forgive much of their third-world debt. However, I think this should be done carefully and that specific demands must be met regarding often corrupt third-world leaders before such debt is forgiven. This would involve several pages of explanation, but very briefly, there should be some definite requirements regarding such debtor nations to allow nations who now hold debt against them, to monitor their Human Rights and economic track records, assuring that debtor nations, if their debts are forgiven, use such economic windfalls wisely to constructively strengthen their specific economies and provide for the needs of their peoples. As well of course, as that the forgiver nation should be given perferred trade status and other economic trade advantages in lieu of payment (such as the ability for their own companies to profit from reconstruction within the third-world nation and similar).
Although perhaps selfish and crass in appearance and probably, in motive as well (that is, in motive on the part of debtor nations), smart international economic practice dictates, in my opinion, that much if not all debt be forgiven third-world nations. Doing so could provide both an economic stimulus to the greator global community, as well as to the relatively poor nations involved and the greater advantage of the alleviation of the spread of communicable diseases; disease of course, always carries the threat of regional to global ramifications.
Perhaps the bottom-line advantage of economic wisdom, may be expressed thusly: The nation that does not help Lazarus, risks the revolutionary (and terrorist) reaction of Lazarus, as well as the diseases that Lazarus may carry (physical, emotional and psychological). This theory applies to all nations, both in regards to helping out their own sick and poor, as well as to helping the sick and poor of the greater global community. To help the sick and poor at the bottom-line, is an economic (and other) advantage for everyone.
