Chequebook colonialism?

[simpo two]

Thinking of Gordon Brown - and now Tony Blair - wandering aroud Africa ina glow of bonhomie, handing out billions to every outstretched hand, winning hearts and minds...

...that's 'chequebook colonialism' isn't it?

(If anyone from the Conservative Party is reading this, you can have that soundbyte free)

[JagLover]

The economist has a phrase they use to describe donations made with company money by directors
'borrowed virtue'-I believe it also applies in this situation.

[simpo two]

JagLover said:

The economist has a phrase they use to describe donations made with company money by directors 'borrowed virtue'-I believe it also applies in this situation.

True. However Bill Gates was spending his own money; Brown and Blair are spending other people's - who weren't even asked. We can't eradicate world poverty - but I fear we're going to find out the hard way.

[thebluemonkey]

simpo two said:

True. However Bill Gates was spending his own money; Brown and Blair are spending other people's - who weren't even asked. We can't eradicate world poverty - but I fear we're going to find out the hard way.

We can, but we need to get rid of corruption first.