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Rewarding good political behavior: US aid, democracy, and human rights

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  • Askarov, Zohid
  • Doucouliagos, Hristos
  • Paldam, Martin
  • Stanley, T.D.

Abstract

We investigate whether the allocation of US aid is influenced by a recipient's democracy and human rights record. The analysis is done in two ways. First, a comprehensive meta-analysis of 284 estimates from 58 studies. Studies report a wide range of results, but the meta-analysis concludes that both human rights and democracy are clear motives for giving aid, with democracy being relatively more important. Second, a new primary study of the data corroborates that a greater share of the House of Representatives held by Democrats results in more aid allocated based on a recipient's democracy record.

Suggested Citation

  • Askarov, Zohid & Doucouliagos, Hristos & Paldam, Martin & Stanley, T.D., 2022. "Rewarding good political behavior: US aid, democracy, and human rights," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:poleco:v:71:y:2022:i:c:s0176268021000793
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2021.102089
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    US aid; Democracy; Human rights; Domestic politics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations

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