(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

International economist and world-renowned author Dambisa Moyo spoke to a packed McFarlin Auditorium Monday night about international aid and its harsh effects on the global economy.

Moyo’s first visit to Dallas came as part of the Anita and Truman Arnold Lecture in part of the Tate Lecture Series.

Moyo began her speech simply defining the word “incentive” and continued her 45-minute-long talk at the podium discussing topics that ranged from China’s economic emergence to Africa’s aid-based developed culture.

“No country in the history of mankind has achieved long term growth by relying on aid,” Moyo said.

Moyo, who completed her Ph.D. in economics at Oxford University and holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, has written a number of book pertaining to the world’s macroeconomics.

“Over the past 50 years, a culture of bad policy has eroded in the West,” Moyo said. “Specifically in the U.S.”

Moyo continued her speech by presenting an economic plan that focused on giving people incentives for doing good things.

These subjects consisted of parents sending their kids to school, eating healthier and making positive life choices.

She also spoke about American’s political scene and the changes it has undergone over the past 50 years.

“Some people consider longer term cycles as a way to change policy,” Moyo said. “This takes the pressure off of the politicians to get re-elected and change their focus on long-term policy.”

Perhaps Moyo’s most specific criticism of U.S. policy is when she spoke about the United States “Housing For All” initiative.

 “[The U.S] overstepped their boundaries and essentially acted as a portfolio manager or a stock picker,” Moyo said.

Zane Cavender, a sophomore political science major, was in the audience for Moyo’s speech.

“Moyo’s take on foreign aid and emphasis on the need for African self-sustainability is a call sign for the West to take a more hands-off approach,” Cavender said. “Given the fragile global economic environment, I completely agree. If policies don’t work they need to change.”

Moyo concluded her speech by simply stating that if the U.S. does not change its policies, then the former economic powerhouse would be doomed.

“Moyo gave a great argument for the need to wean aid-reliant nations from the support of Western countries, which is a refreshing and unique outlook on how to handle many of the problems African nations are facing,” sophomore Jeff Whalen said.

Moyo concluded her stay at SMU by taking questions and answers from the audience.

Topics ranged from her would-be career aspirations to the U.N.’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

SMU’s next Tate Lecture will feature best-selling author Micheal Pollan.