USAID Isn’t About Helping People. It’s About Political Influence. - Ian Vásquez episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 7, 2025 · 1H 53M

USAID Isn’t About Helping People. It’s About Political Influence. - Ian Vásquez

from Dad Saves America · host John Papola

I sat down with Ian Vásquez, Vice President for International Studies at the Cato Institute, to unpack the failures of foreign aid and the true purpose of USAID. For decades, the U.S. has funneled billions into foreign assistance programs, yet these efforts have done little to spur economic growth. Instead, they have trapped countries in a cycle of dependence by subsidizing dysfunctional and corrupt regimes. Using Argentina as a case study, we explore how Javier Milei’s radical free market approach is steering his country away from perpetual hyperinflation and debt crises toward prosperity._____________________________________Follow Ian on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VasquezIan_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Does foreign aid work?[15:14] DOGE’s crusade against USAID[21:09] Foreign aid is political meddling[29:56] Does economic freedom lead to political freedom?[41:27] The economic effects of colonialism[54:08] Argentina wasn't always a disaster[1:04:24] FDR’s admiration for fascism[1:09:32] Javier Milei’s war on inflation[1:20:12] Price control ruin housing markets[1:24:52] Are there downsides of Milei’s policies?[1:29:51] America might not be the freest country[1:33:33] How “libertarian” is the Trump administration?[1:44:46] Is freedom in retreat around the world?_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GuRXZSqdWCUMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 7, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

USAID Isn’t About Helping People. It’s About Political Influence. - Ian Vásquez

0:00 1:53:59

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Dad Saves America?

This episode is 1 hour and 53 minutes long.

When was this Dad Saves America episode published?

This episode was published on March 7, 2025.

Can I download this Dad Saves America episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!