American public considers giving aid a moral responsibility

Numerous poll results show that large majorities of Americans find convincing the argument that the US has a moral responsibility to provide aid to the needy.

For example, in December 2001 a number of arguments were presented in support of foreign aid. Seventy percent of Americans found convincing the argument, "The United States is the only remaining superpower and the world's wealthiest nation. We have a moral responsibility to help those who need it the most.”

Americans have also roundly rejected the argument, made by some legislators, that the US should only give aid when it also serves the US national interest.

Asked to choose between two statements in a November 2000 poll, just 34% chose the statement "We should only send aid to parts of the world where the US has security interests," while 63% chose the statement "When hunger is a major problem in some part of the world, we should send aid whether or not the US has a security interest in that region." (PIPA poll)

In the same poll, 65% agreed that the US should give some foreign aid because "in the long run, helping Third World countries develop is in the economic interest of the US."

In support of a program to reduce hunger in the world 64% found convincing the argument, "Because the world is so interconnected today, reducing hunger in the world ultimately serves US interests. It creates more political stability, and by promoting economic growth helps create more markets for US exports."

[WorldPublicOpinion.org]