Corruption and AID

Yes, we should give more aid to 3rd world countries, particularly in Africa, where we generally do not give enough. Problem is, even if we did give more aid, it wouldn't do much good.

The World Bank estimates that $1.5 trillion (yes - that's trillion) dollars are spent in bribery each year. That'a bigger than the porn industry.

It is estimated that from 1970-1996, 80% of aid given to Africa flowed back to the West in "capital flight," ie fear from being stolen or devalued.

These statistics, from an article in Foreign Affairs, are mind boggling. Maybe we are selfish bastards, and that is the true psychological reason for not providing more aid to foreign countries. But it is awfully tough to justify giving money you know is going down the toilet, mostly back to corrupt folks. Wouldn't we be doing the world a better service by helping devise a system to encourage transparency and signficantly lower corruption? It wouldn't even cost money, just smart people figuring it out....it's been done in the US to decent effect, credit scores, ratings, etc. Why can't it work elsewhere?