The Duck of Minerva

Africa for Norway

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by Rodger Payne

30 November 2012, 1457 EST

This video from Africa for Norway provides a humorous way to think about foreign aid:

I suppose there is a good chance readers have already seen the video — more than 1.5 million people have viewed it on youtube.

 

Rodger A. Payne is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Louisville. He serves on the University’s Sustainability Council and was a co-founder of the Peace, Conflict, and Social Justice program. He is the author of dozens of journal articles and book chapters and coauthor, with Nayef Samhat, of Democratizing Global Politics: Discourse Norms, International Regimes, and Political Community (SUNY, 2004). He is currently working on two major projects, one exploring the role of narratives in international politics and the other examining the implications of America First foreign policy.

Rodger A. Payne is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Louisville. He serves on the University’s Sustainability Council and was a co-founder of the Peace, Conflict, and Social Justice program. He is the author of dozens of journal articles and book chapters and coauthor, with Nayef Samhat, of Democratizing Global Politics: Discourse Norms, International Regimes, and Political Community (SUNY, 2004). He is currently working on two major projects, one exploring the role of narratives in international politics and the other examining the implications of America First foreign policy.

3 Comments

  1. Halvard Leira
    Halvard Leira on 30 November 2012 at 15.40 EST

    Dear Duck,

    I’m very disappointed that you are giving this video pride of place. As colleague Øyvind Eggen and I have demonstrated (https://www.bistandsaktuelt.no/kommentar/arkiv-kommentarer/radiatorbistand-nei-takk – English version forthcoming), this aid-programme is utterly naive and not at all attuned to the needs of Norwegians. There is no consideration of gender or minorities (nor of the Duck’s obsession – Svalbard), nor local ownership etc. etc. We fear that this is simply a result of an African do-gooder mentality and the desire to give 0,7 % of African heat to colder parts of the world.

    You really can do better than this!

    Sincerely,

    Halvard Leira

  2. Roy Nickerson
    Roy Nickerson on 30 November 2012 at 18.04 EST

    This made me laugh despite an otherwise bad day. Thank you Duck!