War By Other Means
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War By Other Means

War By Other Means investigates the crippling levels of debt paid by Third World countries to developed nations. John Pilger uncovers how this financial burden often exceeds the aid these countries receive. The documentary focuses on the Philippines as a case study, revealing that 60 percent of the government’s budget goes towards paying interest on debt that was incurred during Ferdinand Marcos’ regime.

Pilger meets with families living in extreme poverty, including those residing on a rubbish heap in Manila Bay without access to clean water or sanitation. The film highlights how the policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are estimated to have caused job losses for hundreds of thousands of workers, leading to increased social issues.

The documentary also exposes how the United States uses institutions like the World Bank and IMF to advance its foreign policy objectives. Examples include debt relief for Egypt and loans to Iran and China in exchange for support during the Gulf War. Conversely, Yemen’s opposition to a UN resolution resulted in the cessation of American aid to one of the world’s poorest countries.

Pilger argues that the only solution to this crisis is for debts to be completely written off or for repayments to be channeled back into genuine development that prioritizes food production, health, and education over economic growth. He suggests replacing the World Bank and IMF with a non-profit development agency free from political influence.

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