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Applied ethics and allocation of foreign aid: disparity in pretensions and practice

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  • Jónína Einarsdóttir
  • Geir Gunnlaugsson

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="dpr12156-abs-0001"> We explore the applied ethics of development aid and humanitarian assistance, and juxtapose these with claimed objectives and factors that influence the choice of recipients. Despite some diversity among donors, ethical considerations appear not to be a prominent factor for allocation of aid. Although recipients’ need is not entirely ignored, donors’ self-interest and herd behaviour, and recipients’ merits and voting in the United Nations, play crucial roles in allocation decisions. Likely to be shunned are complex emergencies and fragile states, the overlapping settings for action of development and humanitarian aid. Donors should take to heart and put into practice that allocation of aid is an ethical endeavour that should rest on proper needs assessment, established objectives and adopted agreements.

Suggested Citation

  • Jónína Einarsdóttir & Geir Gunnlaugsson, 2016. "Applied ethics and allocation of foreign aid: disparity in pretensions and practice," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 34(3), pages 345-363, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:34:y:2016:i:3:p:345-363
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/dpr.2016.34.issue-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Udvari, Beáta & Dávid Kiss, Gábor & Pontet, Julianna, 2016. "Challenges of Missing Data in Analyses of Aid Activity: The Case of US Aid Activity," Bangladesh Development Studies, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), vol. 39(1-2), pages 1-25, March-Jun.

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