Paul Collier’s last book, The Bottom Billion, proposed that there are four “traps” in which the poorest countries can become enmeshed (a conflict trap, resource trap, geography trap and governance trap). He vividly explains why he thinks that “business as usual” will not lift these countries out of poverty, creating Read more…
One argument that aid sceptics like to use – often without really understanding it – is that aid damages recipient countries through a macroeconomic effect known as “Dutch Disease”. The issue has been raised again in a new working paper: so let’s go back to basics and think about what Read more…
John Gershman offers a reading list on “What to Read on Foreign Aid” in Foreign Affairs. I’m obviously pleased that my paper, Beyond Planning, and the amazing work of my colleagues at aidinfo, are included in the list. Does anyone reading this blog have anything to add to or delete Read more…
Emmanuel Frot and Javier Santiso write about why fragmentation is a problem for international aid: .. the real issue at the heart of fragmentation is too little competition. Numerous donors only multiply monopoly costs, without bringing the benefits expected from competition. This has implications for how the donor community tackles Read more…
I was very upset to hear of the loss of an Ethiopian Airlines plane from Lebanon to Addis Ababa this morning. Many Ethiopian and Lebanese families will be grieving. Ethiopian Airlines has an outstanding safety record. The staff are professional, courteous and efficient. I will be flying from the UK Read more…
On January 13th, a leader in The Times and Kevin Watkins in The Guardian attacked the development policies of the UK Conservative Party, from opposite sides of the political spectrum. The Times Leader says that the Conservatives are wrong to commit themselves to increase aid to 0.7% of GNI; and Read more…
Jeff Marlow writes in the New York Times about Koraro, a Millennium Village Project village in Northern Ethiopia: As the project’s first five years wind down, its ultimate goals remain elusive, and the five-year initiative has swelled to 10. The extension, naturally, will require more spending: The financial injections to Read more…
When Google decided to set up a censored version of its search engine in China in 2006, I was among those who criticised the company for its decision (here and here). As well thiking it was the wrong decision in principle, I worried that a company that says one thing Read more…
Lindsay Morgan describes the problem of unpredictable aid: And although more aid, even disbursed on short notice, might seem like a good thing, it’s difficult for governments to spend on useful things when they can’t predict what next year’s aid will amount to. For example, governments can’t hire teachers with Read more…
If you want to raise money for international development you will eventually encounter a dilemma. You want potential donors to be interested in their fellow human beings and to feel a connection with the people they are helping. You know that you will raise more money, and sustain a longer-term Read more…