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This is Part 1 of Foreign Aid: A Biblical Perspective. Mike Winther is a huge fan of debate for thinking, learning, and understanding issues. In this address, he speaks to potential debate participants about the political science approach to foreign aid. He raises questions and topics to help dig deeper into issues such as the proper role of government.
He explores what the government should and shouldn’t do. He talks about why these topics aren’t always explored in public schools and colleges. He also gives pointers on which questions to dive deeper into such as analyzing the use of the money and focusing on the source. This conversation takes us past the practical approach and explores the philosophical and biblical approach.
You’ll Learn:
- [00:52] A big picture view is good for the real world. It doesn’t always supply an argument for debates.
- [02:02] Everything in our lives is affected by political science. What is the proper role of government or what should the government do?
- [03:42] Big government liberals don’t usually dive into the question of what is the proper role of government, because they don’t want to discuss the improper role of government.
- [04:31] Is it the proper role of the government to give foreign aid?
- [05:18] Analyze the use of the money. What is the source of the money? There are powerful arguments focusing on the source of the money.
- [06:55] How the government gets money includes taxes, inflation, and borrowing.
- [07:47] Borrowing. The bible discourages debt. When the government borrows, there is less money available for others to borrow.
- [10:16] Printing money reduces the value of other money or inflation.
- [15:34] Is it legitimate for the government to take from one person and give to another? Is redistribution of income the proper role for the government?
- [16:32] Biblically the government only does three things: adjudicate disputes, law enforcement, and national defense.
- [21:51] It’s not a proper role of the government to redistribute wealth and assets.
- [23:59] Mike breaks down the definition of the free market which includes voluntary exchange and property rights.
- [26:43] Socialism consists of limiting voluntary exchange and not having absolute ownership of property.
- [28:54] We can’t give foreign aid without taking somebody’s property.
- [29:50] Mike talks about the different classifications of property law.
- [31:59] What economic system do we have to be under to give foreign aid?
- [34:57] When thinking about foreign aid, analyze the economic system in view.