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Economic Development and the Effectiveness of Foreign Aid: A Historical Perspective

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  • Sebastian Edwards

Abstract

In this paper I discuss the effectiveness of foreign aid from a historical perspective. I show that foreign aid is a relatively new concept in economics, and I emphasize the role of exchange rate policies in the foreign aid controversies of the 1970s through 1990s. I show that in the early 1980s there were major changes in views regarding aid and agriculture. I emphasize the role of “ownership” of aid programs by the recipient countries as a way of increasing effectiveness. I argue that there is little hope of making progress in these debates if the economics profession continues to rely, almost exclusively, on cross section regressions. In order to move forward, these analyses need to be supplemented by in depth case studies that follow a country’s history for many decades.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Edwards, 2014. "Economic Development and the Effectiveness of Foreign Aid: A Historical Perspective," NBER Working Papers 20685, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20685
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    Cited by:

    1. Vitor Gaspar & Laura Jaramillo & Mr. Philippe Wingender, 2016. "Political Institutions, State Building, and Tax Capacity: Crossing the Tipping Point," IMF Working Papers 2016/233, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2021. "Effect of the Utilization of Non-Reciprocal Trade Preferences offered by the QUAD on Economic Growth in Beneficiary Countries," EconStor Preprints 242848, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    3. Kar, Ashim Kumar, 2016. "Aid and Human Development: Is There A Role for Good Policy Environment?," MPRA Paper 95433, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2018.
    4. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2023. "Effects of the Utilization of Non-Reciprocal Trade Preferences Offered by QUAD Countries on Economic Growth in Beneficiary Countries," KDI Journal of Economic Policy, Korea Development Institute (KDI), vol. 45(1), pages 33-68.
    5. Bourguignon, François & Platteau, Jean-Philippe, 2018. "Optimal management of transfers: An odd paradox," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 143-157.
    6. Muhammad A Ingratubun & Akhmad Fauzi, 2021. "Opening the Black Box: Disbursement Delays Impacts on Growth in Asian Development Bank Loan Projects in Indonesia," ConScienS Conference Proceedings 029mi, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    7. Winnie Rugutt & Maria Nzomo & Pontian Godfrey Okoth, 2023. "Industrialization in Africa and the Role of Foreign Aid: Lessons from Kenya and Mauritius," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(9), pages 930-944, September.
    8. Gopalan, Sasidaran & Rajan, Ramkishen S., 2016. "Has Foreign Aid Been Effective in the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector? Evidence from Panel Data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 84-104.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • B20 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - General
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth

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