Democratic Trajectories In Africa: Unravelling The Impact Of Foreign Aid (wider Studies In Development Economics)
by Danielle Resnick /
2013 / English / PDF
1.5 MB Download
Despite impressive economic growth rates over the last decade,
foreign aid still plays a significant role in Africa's political
economies. This book asks when, why, and how foreign aid has
facilitated, or hindered, democratization in sub-Saharan Africa.
Instead of looking at foreign aid as a monolithic resource, the
book examines the disparate impacts of aid specifically intended
for development outcomes and aid explicitly aimed at democracy
promotion. Careful attention is also given to examining the role of
various aid modalities, including general budget support, and the
influence of non-traditional donors. In doing so, the authors use a
combination of cross-county quantitative analyses and in-depth case
studies of Benin, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, and
Zambia based on recent interviews with donors, government
officials, and civil society organizations. Unlike other work on
aid and democracy, the book carefully considers how foreign aid
affects various elements of the democratization process, including
transitions to multiparty systems and democratic consolidation. In
terms of the latter, the authors analyse what role different types
of aid play in avoiding a breakdown of multiparty democracy or an
erosion of civil liberties, reinforcing parliaments and
judiciaries, promoting free and fair elections and a vibrant civil
society, and encouraging competitive party systems. Overall, the
authors' findings suggest that the best means for enhancing the
effectiveness of aid for development outcomes is not always the
most optimal way of promoting democratic consolidation, and the
book provides policy recommendations to try and reconcile these
trade-offs.
Despite impressive economic growth rates over the last decade,
foreign aid still plays a significant role in Africa's political
economies. This book asks when, why, and how foreign aid has
facilitated, or hindered, democratization in sub-Saharan Africa.
Instead of looking at foreign aid as a monolithic resource, the
book examines the disparate impacts of aid specifically intended
for development outcomes and aid explicitly aimed at democracy
promotion. Careful attention is also given to examining the role of
various aid modalities, including general budget support, and the
influence of non-traditional donors. In doing so, the authors use a
combination of cross-county quantitative analyses and in-depth case
studies of Benin, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, and
Zambia based on recent interviews with donors, government
officials, and civil society organizations. Unlike other work on
aid and democracy, the book carefully considers how foreign aid
affects various elements of the democratization process, including
transitions to multiparty systems and democratic consolidation. In
terms of the latter, the authors analyse what role different types
of aid play in avoiding a breakdown of multiparty democracy or an
erosion of civil liberties, reinforcing parliaments and
judiciaries, promoting free and fair elections and a vibrant civil
society, and encouraging competitive party systems. Overall, the
authors' findings suggest that the best means for enhancing the
effectiveness of aid for development outcomes is not always the
most optimal way of promoting democratic consolidation, and the
book provides policy recommendations to try and reconcile these
trade-offs.
