American idol: The new US foreign aid fund, the Millennium Challenge Account, is, in what passes for reality, just the latest in the rash of 'reality talent' shows spreading across the mainstream media.
The NY Times says Millennium Challenge, previewed in detail for the first time on Monday, is part of an effort by the US government to 'get the rest of the world to follow Mr. Bush's own philosophy'. For 'philosophy', of course, read the automated TV profiling provided by the President's Tivo set and whatever dad's old buddies dream up next. . .
Not quite Big Brother - that's left to the new Department of Homeland Security, Millennium Challenge will follow democratic wannabes around as they try to win a portion of the $5 billion promised to the fund over the next three years.
With average per capita incomes below $1,445, the half-dozen or so countries will be given expert training in every aspect of the Washington economic consensus, from predictable and sound fiscal policy to deregulation and a willingness to let in US goods and services.
Watched around the clock by US officials, the competing countries run the risk of being voted out of the international community if they fail to score on a range of performance tests. Contestants on earlier versions of the game have ended up in the axis of evil - which runs on Fox.
The new series comes at a time when the US government faces accusations that it's putting the chase for ratings ahead of its public service commitments.
But series producers argue that the contest is just about grooming the next generation of free market talent.
One of the President's senior advisers told the NY Times: 'No one is requiring countries to apply for this money. It's voluntary.' He added: 'If they want it, they have to show they play by the rules of the game.' [NY Times].
