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Less aid proliferation and more donor coordination? The wide gap between words and deeds

Author

Listed:
  • Iñaki Aldasoro

    (Bruegel, Brussels, Belgium)

  • Peter Nunnenkamp

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Kiel, Germany)

  • Rainer Thiele

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Kiel, Germany)

Abstract

We present a two-step approach of assessing whether major donors of foreign aid have met recent demands for less proliferated and better coordinated aid efforts. First, we calculate Theil indices revealing the concentration of each donor's aid on recipient countries and specific aid sectors. Second, we map overlaps of aid from different donors and over time to analyze the degree of coordination. Our results point to a wide and persistent gap between the rhetoric of political declarations and the donors' actual aid allocation during the period 1995-2006. Few donors have specialized on a limited set of recipients and aid sectors, and coordination has remained elusive. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Iñaki Aldasoro & Peter Nunnenkamp & Rainer Thiele, 2010. "Less aid proliferation and more donor coordination? The wide gap between words and deeds," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(7), pages 920-940.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:22:y:2010:i:7:p:920-940
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.1645
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid

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