Miscasting the problem in an “us vs. them” framework as in this video does nothing to account for the personal nature of sin and its relationship to structural evil. Gregg and Schenone write, “There is perhaps no greater problem that handicaps the flourishing of developing nations than that of corruption. Though corruption is associated with the original sin that marks the heart of every person, corruption is also a social scourge that debilitates the daily economic and legal transactions upon which all of us ultimately depend for our material survival.”
Debt relief, by itself, simply is not the panacea for poverty in the developing world. It is only a part of the solution. When speaking about debt relief, Kenyan bishop Bernard Njoroge says, “If we don’t address the issue of corruption, it will repeat itself. It is important that that issue is addressed.” He continues, “One of the statements that all of the [borrowing] countries have to show through international lenders is that they have sound economic policies. The debts that have been forgiven were also given on the basis of sound economic policies. Forgiveness does not carry within itself a solution to this problem. We need fair trade.”
“The Debt of the Dictators” simply does not present an adequate or accurate view of the complex and comprehensive nature of debt and poverty in the developing world. It promotes solutions that by themselves would do nothing but permit further abuse.
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