Agreeing on Africa, Up to a Point

As incoming president of the G-8, Tony Blair has made reducing African poverty the focus of his agenda, aiming to pardon the continent's staggering debt and increase aid by US$50 billion. But he faces opposition from Germany, France, and Japan – who propose focusing efforts on just five developing countries – as well as the United States, reluctant to double its aid. With Africa's history of corrupt government, many Americans doubt that increased aid will ever reach the suffering, fearing that it will merely line the pockets of those in power. Others suggest that debt relief should only be offered to countries with stable, democratic governments. The Economist proposes a more promising, but politically risky solution to Africa's poverty: ending the farm subsidies and health regulations that stifle African farmers and manufacturers. – YaleGlobal