Although Colombia is afflicted with high levels of governmental corruption the prospects for democracy are hopeful. While the nation does face a drug trafficking problem and high inequality, the democratic ideals, ethnically and religiously monolithic culture, and market economy provide the necessary fodder to incite a democratic revolution. By splitting USAID between good governance and civil society issues of corruption and media censorship can be resolved, providing Colombia with conditions ideal for a democratic revolution. Due to Colombia’s governmental infrastructure already resembling that of a democracy and its advanced party system and elections, I recommend that 0% of funding be allotted to rule of law and human rights or political
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Instead, I would recommend that the 50% of funding that is dedicated to good governance be used to establish independent auditing organizations that can hold the government accountable to the constitution and laws. These audits will expose corruption and try individuals who commit crimes until the government functions the way it is meant to. These organizations can also work to install democratic ideals within the government and push the nation to more open, equal, and democratic government. The other 50% of aid being spent on civil society should be used to train and protect members of the media to handle threats from the population as well as shield them from attacks. By opening up the media to true freedom of press, information can be decimated across the population and corruption can be exposed. The exposure of corruption and government accountability will work in tandem to restructure the government into a responsible democratic body that serves the people. If it seems concerning that I did not address the issue of drug trafficking or internal divisions among presidential followers, it is my expectation that by ending the corruption of government and developing free press crime rates will decrease. Police, backed by a legitimate government, will then have the power to effectively target those in the drug trade and …show more content…
Supported by free elections, homogenous urban communities, and good GDP growth with investments in god governance and civil society the issues of Colombia can be over come. By ending corruption and protecting free media the US can establish a strong moral government and encourage information flow which will lead to the end of civil violence and crime and eventually, democracy. In order to accomplish these goals I recommend USAID ignore rule of law and political competition and devote aid evenly between good governance and civil
Instead, I would recommend that the 50% of funding that is dedicated to good governance be used to establish independent auditing organizations that can hold the government accountable to the constitution and laws. These audits will expose corruption and try individuals who commit crimes until the government functions the way it is meant to. These organizations can also work to install democratic ideals within the government and push the nation to more open, equal, and democratic government. The other 50% of aid being spent on civil society should be used to train and protect members of the media to handle threats from the population as well as shield them from attacks. By opening up the media to true freedom of press, information can be decimated across the population and corruption can be exposed. The exposure of corruption and government accountability will work in tandem to restructure the government into a responsible democratic body that serves the people. If it seems concerning that I did not address the issue of drug trafficking or internal divisions among presidential followers, it is my expectation that by ending the corruption of government and developing free press crime rates will decrease. Police, backed by a legitimate government, will then have the power to effectively target those in the drug trade and …show more content…
Supported by free elections, homogenous urban communities, and good GDP growth with investments in god governance and civil society the issues of Colombia can be over come. By ending corruption and protecting free media the US can establish a strong moral government and encourage information flow which will lead to the end of civil violence and crime and eventually, democracy. In order to accomplish these goals I recommend USAID ignore rule of law and political competition and devote aid evenly between good governance and civil