I got a chuckle out of that. Reciprocity indeed! Apart from the military and charity service question, it sounds like a copy paste of the US' own DS160 form. It does seem to be missing my favorite questions from the DS160 though: 1) are you a terrorist and 2) have you committed genocide?
I had first hand experience of this in Bolivia when all the American backpackers were complaining they had to pay $100USD to get into Bolivia.
Yes, that's because that's how much it costs Bolivian's to get into the US. Think about how much money that is for these people. Oh.
I don't pretend to know, but I can think of a few possible reasons:
^ Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
^ Educate foreigners about the realities of how their country treats other people (obviously many don't know, even the author of the article is seemingly clueless).
^ Change the policies of their home country (as you suggest).
^ Realize that for an American, $100 is not a lot of money, so it's a good source of revenue in itself.
^ Realize that Bolivia is absolutely, jaw-droppingly stunning, and any American traveling in South America won't let the little $100 fee stop them, because it's clearly worth it.
They didn't believe me until I found a copy of the form on Google images. You literally have to declare you are not a nazi spy to gain entry to the USA. Something not many Americans are aware are of.
Asking me if I'm a spy? Has anyone ever answered yes?
Not sure why that would matter when you're also getting arrested for spying / committing a terrorist act, but whatever.
My family was searched and questioned crossing into the US from Canada, on our British passports. The American relatives we were visiting were unimpressed.
The Nazi question is still relevant, if barely. There are still a few of them around.
I've since had the stupid questions. "It says you're going to a science conference. You don't look like a scientist." "Why is your passport empty? Don't Europeans travel a lot?"