Aid and Influence: Patronage, Power and Politics

The book explores the rise of China and the role of covid-19 in shaping the future of aid, highlighting the US and UK's withdrawal from global commitments and the merging of the foreign office and development department.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The impact of China's rise and the COVID-19 pandemic on international aid has been profound, creating a new front in the battle for political influence. The United States and the United Kingdom have been particularly candid about the underlying politics driving aid, with the US withdrawing from many global commitments and the UK recently merging the foreign office with the department for development.

Stephen Browne, a renowned practitioner with over 30 years of experience at the United Nations, co-director of the Future United Nations Development System (FUNDS) project, Senior Fellow of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, Graduate Center, City University of New York, and visiting lecturer at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, has written a timely and insightful book that delves into these complex dynamics.

In "The Political Economy of International Aid: Power, Politics, and the Global Aid System," Browne offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of international aid. He explores the historical roots of the aid system, its evolution in response to global crises, and the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

Browne argues that the rise of China and the COVID-19 pandemic have fundamentally changed the dynamics of the international aid system. He notes that China has become a major donor, providing significant amounts of aid to developing countries, while the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, leading to increased demand for aid.

At the same time, Browne highlights the growing competition between the US and the UK for influence in the global aid system. He notes that the US has withdrawn from many global commitments, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, while the UK has recently combined the foreign office with the department for development to prioritize aid and development.

Browne argues that the underlying politics behind aid have become more transparent, with donors increasingly seeking to align their aid with their political interests. He notes that aid has become a tool for promoting economic development, promoting political stability, and influencing regional and global power dynamics.

However, Browne also raises concerns about the effectiveness of international aid in addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality. He argues that the aid system is often fragmented and inefficient, with too much money spent on administrative costs and not enough on sustainable development projects.

To address these challenges, Browne proposes a number of reforms to the international aid system. He suggests that the aid system should be more integrated, with donors working together to address global challenges such as climate change and poverty. He also suggests that the aid system should prioritize sustainable development, with a focus on promoting economic growth, social inclusion, and human rights.

In conclusion, "The Political Economy of International Aid: Power, Politics, and the Global Aid System" is a valuable contribution to the literature on international aid. By exploring the complex dynamics between power, politics, and the global aid system, Browne offers a timely and insightful analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing the aid sector in the 21st century. His proposals for reform are timely and relevant, and his book will be of interest to policymakers, practitioners, and scholars alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367681524
Edition number: 2 ed