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Targeting aid: what the World Bank has (not) achieved

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  • Nunnenkamp, Peter

Abstract

In a report presented at the UN Conference on Financing for Development in March 2002, the World Bank claims that the effectiveness of its financial aid has improved substantially by targeting aid at poor developing countries pursuing sound economic policies. This paper argues that the World Bank's success story rests on a weak empirical foundation. The evidence does not support the view that poverty concerns and policy assessments dominated the distribution of World Bank financing in the 1990s. We conclude that the task of improving the allocation of aid is far from being accomplished. Finally, we discuss some implications of our findings for the future role of the World Bank in development financing.

Suggested Citation

  • Nunnenkamp, Peter, 2002. "Targeting aid: what the World Bank has (not) achieved," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 2838, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:2838
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kanbur, Ravi & Sandler, Todd & Morrison, Kevin, 1999. "The Future of Development Assistance: Common Pools and International Public Goods," Staff General Research Papers Archive 1629, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    2. Collier, Paul & Dollar, David, 2001. "Can the World Cut Poverty in Half? How Policy Reform and Effective Aid Can Meet International Development Goals," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 29(11), pages 1787-1802, November.
    3. Dollar, David & Kraay, Aart, 2002. "Growth Is Good for the Poor," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 195-225, September.
    4. Nunnenkamp, Peter, 2002. "IWF und Weltbank: trotz aller Mängel weiterhin gebraucht?," Kiel Discussion Papers 388, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    5. Nunnenkamp, Peter, 2001. "Too Much, Too Little, or Too Volatile? International Capital Flows to Developing Countries in the 1990s," East Asian Economic Review, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, vol. 5(1), pages 119-147, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial aid; World Bank; International Development Association;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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