tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719806121127589545.post7384175873994043559..comments2023-10-09T05:02:03.356-04:00Comments on Demagogues and Dictators: Conflict Minerals and the Fallacy of InfluenceDave Reidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13930065654533089762noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719806121127589545.post-42164899204465602042010-07-01T12:45:45.000-04:002010-07-01T12:45:45.000-04:00I think Kristof simplifies and sensationalizes jus...I think Kristof simplifies and sensationalizes just about everything he writes about but I appreciate what Mr. Reidy has to say about the complexities of the conflict. That said, the one line hopeless solution of financial aid from the US, EU, China, and local governments also ironically simplifies things a bit. (And, if Obama influencing Kagame and US consumers will have little effect on the conflict, will financial assistance from the US make any difference, at least in the present situation?) <br /><br />I know this wasn’t the main point of the post, but if Mr. Reidy is going to criticize Kristof (which I think you should) for saying US consumers can make a difference, he should have more than a one sentence rebuttal solution. I would argue that, before the US, EU, and China go pouring money into rebuilding this long-terrorized state, the local government (national, local, even regional governing bodies) need to commit to rebuilding the state. This, like Mr. Reidy says, does not necessarily involve Americans who want to save the world. Without a stable local government, foreign aid of any kind – financing, capacity building, etc – will be useless. Even with a stable local government, foreign aid can go either way, depending on who is in charge of spending it and how closely the spending is tracked. So, while I agree a sustained, serious, well-financed commitment must come from all the actors eventually, they need to come in an order that will contribute to the rebuilding of a more peaceful, prosperous state. If the assistance comes out of order (for example, if money pours in from external actors before the government is stable, committed, and relatively uncorrupt), the well-intentioned finance could help continue the conflict.KBnoreply@blogger.com