Some people in some industrialized countries think we should cut the human population by 99.9% and go back to hunting and gathering, for ecological reasons. None of them have volunteered to be part of the 99.9%, oddly enough, although some have sworn never to have kids.

I found 1.3 million hits in Google for “Peace Corps” (in quotes) and “Problems” (not in quotes). The main arguments against it are

It is a kinder, gentler version of the 1800’s “White Man’s Burden”; our way of life is right, the third world’s is wrong, they need to learn western ways to advance to the heights of civilization. If “heights” means a nation with 4% of the world’s population consuming 25% of the world’s resources, then, unless we can multiply the world’s resources by 6 or so, this isn’t sustainable in the long run.

By their example, they give children the wrong ideas. Peace Corps women are educated and expected to be treated as equals. Some countries don’t do that.

It’s demeaning to host countries to have to ask for help from their richer, better educated neighbors.

There are lots of horror stories of individual PCV’s; not all of them had wonderful experiences. Some have been robbed, raped and murdered. (Not many, at that happens on college campuses in the USA as well.) Some had poorly defined jobs working for corrupt governments. Some couldn’t adjust to different cultures.

Host countries ask for PCV’s. When they feel they have developed far enough, they stop asking. Malaysia, for instance, no longer needs us. (I was there 35 years ago.)

I think that in some countries, when Americans come in trying to help, they are resented for being “wealthy” Americans. Many countries feel, and rightfully so, that they can take care of themselves and solve their own problems, and they don’t need these 20 year old American smartalecs coming in to “save the day.”

I guess what I’m saying is that sometimes the people who interact with the Peace Corp volunteers see them as American imperialists rather than as community volunteers. Its not the fault of the Peace Corp, Its just a reaction to American arrogance.