What is it that promotes independence, freedom of action, and self-sufficiency for people and nations around the world? What is it that promotes dependency and lack of freedom of choice?

Promoted by celebrities, political leaders, and religious figures around the globe, foreign aid has become a popular—and controversial—subject. Proponents insist that wealthy nations have a moral duty to assist poor countries and must expand aid budgets, while critics argue that such aid is useless and can in fact damage local economies and promote long-term dependency.