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Day 28｜実戦演習⑦｜国際関係・グローバル課題

【メイン課題】

以下の英文を 6分〜8分以内 に読んで設問に答えましょう。

英文：
International development aid, the transfer of resources from wealthy nations to developing countries, has been a cornerstone of global cooperation since the end of World War II. The stated goals of development aid include reducing poverty, improving health and education, promoting economic growth, and building institutional capacity in recipient countries. In 2022, official development assistance from member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reached a record 204 billion dollars.

The effectiveness of development aid has been the subject of intense debate for decades. Supporters point to significant achievements: global extreme poverty has declined from over 35 percent of the world’s population in 1990 to less than 10 percent today, and child mortality rates have fallen dramatically. Vaccination campaigns funded by international aid have eradicated smallpox and brought diseases like polio close to elimination. The expansion of access to clean water, sanitation, and education in developing countries owes much to sustained aid investment.

Critics, however, argue that decades of aid have failed to address the root causes of poverty in many regions. Some economists contend that aid can actually harm developing economies by creating dependency, discouraging local entrepreneurship, and distorting markets. When free goods or subsidized products flood local markets, they can undercut domestic producers and destroy local industries. Aid money has also been known to fuel corruption, with funds being diverted by government officials rather than reaching the intended beneficiaries.

The conditions attached to aid have also been controversial. Donor countries and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have historically required recipient nations to implement specific economic reforms, such as privatization, deregulation, and trade liberalization, in exchange for assistance. While these reforms were intended to promote economic efficiency, critics argue that they often benefited multinational corporations at the expense of local populations and undermined national sovereignty.

A more recent approach to development emphasizes partnership rather than charity. This model recognizes that developing countries are not passive recipients but active agents of their own development. It prioritizes building local capacity, supporting locally led initiatives, and ensuring that aid programs are aligned with the priorities of the communities they serve. South-South cooperation, in which developing countries share knowledge and resources with one another, has also grown as an alternative to the traditional donor-recipient relationship.

The future of development aid will likely be shaped by emerging global challenges such as climate change, digital inequality, and pandemic preparedness. As developing countries face the consequences of a warming planet they did little to cause, climate finance is becoming an increasingly important component of international assistance. Ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most, while avoiding the pitfalls of past approaches, remains the central challenge for the international development community.

設問：
（1）2022年のOECD加盟国の政府開発援助の総額はいくらか。
（2）開発援助の支持者が挙げる成果を3つ答えなさい。
（3）開発援助が途上国に害を与えうるという批判を2つ挙げなさい。
（4）「パートナーシップ型」の新しいアプローチの特徴を説明しなさい。
（5）本文の内容と一致するものを全て選びなさい。
a. 世界の極度の貧困率は1990年の35%超から10%未満に低下した
b. 援助金が腐敗した政府高官に流用されるケースはない
c. 援助に付随する条件が途上国の主権を損なうという批判がある
d. 南南協力は途上国同士が知識やリソースを共有するモデルである
（6）この文章全体を80字以内で要約しなさい。

【練習問題】以下の英文を6分〜8分以内に読み、設問に答えなさい。

英文：
The concept of universal healthcare, in which all citizens have access to medical services regardless of their ability to pay, exists in various forms across the developed world. Countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan provide universal coverage through different models, ranging from government-run health services to mandatory insurance systems. The United States remains the only developed nation without a universal healthcare system, relying instead on a mix of employer-provided insurance, government programs for the elderly and low-income populations, and individual purchases.

Supporters of universal healthcare argue that access to medical care is a fundamental human right that should not depend on wealth or employment status. Countries with universal systems generally spend less per capita on healthcare than the United States while achieving better outcomes on key indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality. Universal systems also eliminate the administrative complexity and overhead costs associated with multiple private insurance companies, resulting in more efficient use of healthcare spending.

Opponents in the United States contend that universal healthcare would reduce the quality of care by introducing long waiting times and limiting patient choice. They argue that the American system, despite its flaws, drives medical innovation through competition and profit incentives. Private insurance gives consumers more options and allows them to choose their preferred doctors and hospitals. Some critics also express concern about the massive government spending required to fund a universal system.

The debate continues as healthcare costs in the United States rise and the number of uninsured Americans remains significant. In 2022, approximately 27 million Americans lacked health insurance. Meanwhile, medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the country. As other nations demonstrate that universal coverage is achievable at lower cost, pressure on the United States to reform its healthcare system is likely to increase.

設問：
（1）ユニバーサルヘルスケアの支持者と反対者の主な主張をそれぞれ2つずつ挙げなさい。
（2）2022年時点でアメリカの無保険者は約何人か。
（3）この文章全体を80字以内で要約しなさい。

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