Is this just a vicious cycle?

This week’s readings gave some great examples of the differences between the way things actually are and the way westerners perceive them. All three readings discussed the ways in which westerners have failed to uncover and address our underlying social problems. As Hacking pointed out, many of these problems have to do with the way things are labeled. In the case of Lesotho, it is labeled as a “developing” country therefore no matter how much money is given to its leaders, it will still be a place controlled by western interest groups. Until we take the dynamic nominalist approach and look at how we look at things, we will only be able to see one outcome, prolonged failure.

While I wholly agree with most of what is said in these readings, I’m having a hard time not becoming completely dissatisfied with politics and science. All three authors offer ways in which positive results can be achieved yet I see very little progress. A few years ago I watched a PBS special about how micro-loans, given by individuals to individuals, were generating some very positive results (much more so than large aid organizations). One problem I see with this though is that again it only reinforces the ideals of capitalism and causes the borrower to be scrutinized by the lender. At this point we seem to be so caught up in wanting to help others (either for a good label or money) that we are helping those who were able to get along without us.