Yes, I do think that helping out poor countries has a innate
material interests which are latent from a common man's
perspective. Let's look at some of them:
- Firstly, global development occurs when all the countries
especially the emerging and poor economies strive forwards towards
attaining the goal. To increase their dominance in such poor
countries, high income countries often tend to take advantage of
this grave situation in poor countries.
- Secondly, debt trap diplomacy. It may be related to the
previous point but the idea here is slightly different. Developed
nations come forward and propose lucrative development projects for
the poor countries, and the latter can pay their debt at a later
timeframe. Sooner after the project's completed, poor nations are
unable to pay the debt with interest and end up giving up
territories and resources once for all to the proposing nation.
Therefore, 'debt trapped'.
- Thirdly, high income nations tend to see the poor nations as
just a potential market where they can expand their operations and
reap profits. Due to widespread unemployment in these countries,
they are ready to take up job as a cheap labor. Thereby further
reducing labor costs from a firm's point of view.
- Lastly, getting the diplomatic support in conventions,
conferences, treaties and sanctions. More the support, more the
chances are that the country's proposal for any international
trade/political amendment is accepted. Rich countries see this as
an opportunity to expand the support.
Hope this helps. Do hit the thumbs up. Cheers!