William Easterly explores what has happened to the billions of dollars spend in foreign aid to the poorest countries. His thuoghts are similiar to my own, and by this piece, his book (on the same subject) looks like an interesting read.

If you look at places like Nigeria, where there is a decent oil economy, and Zaire, which has lots of mineral wealth, they could be potential (small) United States or Indias. Instead they are mired in the usual problems of the African continent; disease, corrupt government, lack of education, etc etc. I don't have any answers, but know that giving a poor person a loaf of bread is meaningless; teaching him to fish is priceless. I think this is from the bible; the axiom is still true today.