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The Rise and Fall of the Aid Effectiveness Norm

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  • Stephen Brown

    (University of Ottawa
    Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study)

Abstract

This article analyzes the rise and fall of the aid effectiveness norm, using the lens of Finnemore and Sikkink’s norm ‘life cycle’. I argue that, although donors and recipients endorsed the founding principles, the norm was only feebly internalized: they were unwilling to overcome their reluctance—and important disincentives—to substantially change their practices on the ground. After the norm cascaded, the donor-led process sought to gain legitimacy and diffuse the norm more broadly by trying to bring in a wider range of actors through norm substitution. These changes failed to convince emerging donors to engage and caused the norm to decay to the point where it ceased to constitute a norm. This case highlights the importance of refining the life cycle model to take into account weak internalization and the potential existence of a second phase in which norms decline and potentially die.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Brown, 2020. "The Rise and Fall of the Aid Effectiveness Norm," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(4), pages 1230-1248, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:32:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00272-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00272-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jan Orbie & Viktor Opsomer & Yentyl Williams & Sarah Delputte & Joren Verschaeve, 2021. "Shielded against risk? European donor co‐ordination in Palestine," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(5), pages 703-720, September.
    3. Elena Sondermann & Cornelia Ulbert, 2021. "Transformation through ‘Meaningful’ Partnership? SDG 17 as Metagovernance Norm and Its Global Health Implementation," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(1), pages 152-163.
    4. Leininger, Julia & Strupat, Christoph & Adeto, Yonas Adaye & Shimeles, Abebe & Wasike, Wilson & Aleksandrova, Mariya & Berger, Axel & Brandi, Clara & Brüntrup, Michael & Burchi, Francesco & Dick, Eva , 2021. "The COVID-19 pandemic and structural transformation in Africa: Evidence for action," IDOS Discussion Papers 11/2021, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    5. Lena Gutheil & Dirk‐Jan Koch, 2023. "Civil society organizations and managerialism: On the depoliticization of the adaptive management agenda," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(1), January.
    6. Lena Gutheil & Dirk-Jan Koch, 2024. "Aid Unchained: Examining Development Project Management Practices at Aid Chain Interfaces," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 24(2), pages 97-112, April.
    7. Klingebiel, Stephan, 2023. "Geopolitics, the Global South and development policy," IDOS Policy Briefs 14/2023, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Bonn.

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