In a post on improving the US' image abroad, Kreps and Arend comment on the Millennium Challenge program initiated by President Bush:
President Bush created the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) in 2002, calling for an increase in US development assistance by 50 percent over the next three years. Although these are great plans, little concrete action has happened. Almost none of that funding has been disbursed. And the US is missing an opportunity to have a lasting effect on the process of democratization.
Since the MCA funds are tied to political and economic reform, the US can advance its objectives of democratic governance through the incentive of development assistance. Several countries in the horn of Africa have already indicated that they are ready to accept the transparency and accountability demanded by the MCA. If the Administration would begin funding these countries on a fast-track basis, they would be more equipped to take measures to address the humanitarian, heath and environmental problems that confront them. This would be vital boost for those nations, but it would also promote an important American security concern by helping them to democratize and prevent their territory from serving as a breeding ground for terrorists. And America would be seen not just the sword-wielding imperialist, but as a state seeking to take its stewardship as world leader seriously.
Given the potential for good that MCA represents, it's a great pity that the House just cut MCA funding by 11% below what Bush requested.
