This one got pulled from the paper at the last minute, but I still liked it. So at least here, someone will read it. lol
No simple solutions to complex problems
When you have a one sentence answer to a complex problem-you are most likely wrong. If you can mention the problem and solution in one breath-you are most assuredly wrong. If you can give a one sentence answer to world hunger-you have missed the mark. I have heard several oversimplified solutions to world problem.
World hunger is a perfect example. When I first attended Edmonds Community College one of my instructors stated, ‘If we all consumed 40 percent less meat, ranchers would grow 40 percent less cattle, and we could use that 40 percent of the land to grow wheat and solve the world’s food issue.’
There are a number of reasons why this wouldn’t work. First of all, if we consumed less meat, it would more likely affect the price of meat rather than inspire ranchers to grow wheat. Second, ranch land is often inadequate farmland it can be rough terrain that isn’t all that fertile or would need extensive clearing before clops could be planted. Third, ranchers are not going to incur tens of thousands of dollars of debt investing in farm equipment. Finally and most importantly, ranching and farming are vastly different.
Farming is very specialized, farmers need to consider irrigation, erosion and crop rotation. Most crops do not grow year round so they have to know what to plant in each season and what the long term effects that each crop will have on the soil.
Ranching requires constant attention of your animals. Medical issues need to be addressed quickly before they can spread to the rest of the herd. How would a ranger be able to take care of the animals and also farm a large plot of land? It just isn’t practical.
Similarly, the sheer volume of food hasn’t been the problem in the past rather it is getting the food to the hungry people. Infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges, roads, corrupt governments and men with guns are all the bane of relief organizations.
Afghanistan was attempting to build roads that would make it possible to cross the country in a couple of days rather than over a week. Improved roads would mean that goods could cover longer distances in shorter periods of time. Road construction crews suffered kidnappings, murder, and the destruction of their equipment at the hands of the Taliban and other insurgents.
In Somalia during the early ‘90s the issue had more to do with stopping the men with guns from taking the food once it hit the shores rather than getting food to the country. According to figures from the United Nations (UN), up to 80% of internationally provided food was stolen. Stolen food was used to secure the loyalty of clan leaders, or routinely exchanged with other countries for weapons. It is estimated that up to 300,000 Somalis died of starvation between 1991 and 1992.
When a ceasefire accord was signed and the United Nations was able to go in to supply humanitarian assistance, their mission was unsuccessful because they were unable to get the food to the people who needed it. Often planes carrying relief were looted as soon as they landed.
It would seem that passing off the food to a local government official seems like the best way to handle relief situations. The government would know the people and where there is greatest need. That government would also help escort international relief organizations through difficult terrain and navigate the cultural rules better.
However if there is corruption in the government it’s just lining someone’s pockets and not helping those in need. The current situation in Burma is a perfect example: The UN was trying to get relief efforts into the Burma. First, the Burmese government wouldn’t approve visas for the relief workers. Next its military stopped the UN personnel at the airport and took the humanitarian aid from them. UN policy is to escort any assistance all the way to ensure that it is going to the people who need it. In this situation, what can they do?
The Burmese military leaders are using the relief supplies as propaganda. According to Burma Campaign UK, regional commanders put their names on the side of aid shipments from Asia, and then say it is a gift from them before distributing it in their region.
In conclusion complex world problems require complex solutions. It takes time and effort of many dedicated people to approach anything that resembles a solution. Anyone who claims that a simple solution to a complex problem should not be indulged.
