Should the U.S. Continue Giving Billions in Foreign Aid?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: In what ways do war, poverty, and other problems in one part of the world affect other parts of the world?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the U.S. should continue to provide monetary aid to other countries. The issue is timely because Congress approved a 6 percent increase in foreign aid for the 2023 budget, but many Americans question spending U.S. tax dollars on projects in other nations.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Scott Morris is a researcher from an organization that promotes international development. James Roberts is a retired scholar from a conservative think tank.) 

3. Core Skill Practice

• Analyze Morris’s view. (Morris argues that the U.S. should continue providing monetary aid to other nations. He says that the aid not only has a big impact in those locations but also benefits the U.S. economy. In addition, he says that investing in countries that need help makes the world safer and encourages those countries to see the U.S. as an ally.)

• Analyze Roberts’s view. (Roberts argues that the U.S. should phase out monetary aid to other nations. He says that most foreign aid projects have failed to solve the long-term problems they were meant to address. He also says that the aid sometimes creates problems by helping corrupt regimes remain in power.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should the U.S. continue giving billions in foreign aid? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.