Do Foreign aid especially in areas of democracy assistance comes with conditions and assumptions that may likely perpetuate assymetrical relationships between the donor and recipient societies
Dear Abdullahi
I think this is the key question in the so-called developing world today, as much in Latin America as in sub Saharan Africa.
Imperialism or neo colonialism comes in very different forms. For many people 'democracy assistance' or conditional aid is a 'good thing' as it may help combat bad practices. But our countries are well aware of their problems and do not need tutelage any more.
Aid is small recompense for the damage done by colonialism. Please do not place political conditions on it.
Sorry I am a bit blunt. What do you think?
Regards,
Ronaldo
Thank for responding to the question. You see foreign aid to Africa and Latin America as a small reparation for colonialism? I see it differently. Development assistance has its own philosophy and operations. it is part of global relations I think there are lot of problems with the way it is done globally and we need to interrogate this seriously.
Dear Abdullahi,
There is a very interesting book on this topic: "Help or Harm"- it investigates the benefits and damages linked to foreign aid programmes. It tries to show the facts, not the narrative around the issue. An example of the pattern was Haiti after the earthquake and the not efficient UN mission that followed.
There is a good actor-based analysis as well, which I think you are referring to. Your question could use the arguments already stated - effects of the programmes do change balance of power and need to be considered as a tool.
I think this is a worthy statement - the correlation of foreign aid and asymmetry in the balance of power. Hope you carry on with this topic.
Natalia
Thanks a lot Natalia, for the fresh insight. It is indeed very helpful
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