Development aid: a practical and ethical examination

Abstract

This paper examines development aid institutions and programs in two ways: from their institutional genesis and from post-Cold War critical viewpoints. Beginning with the Lend Lease Act of 1941, it traces the development of national and international bodies and agencies that are dedicated to the business of spurring development. Many of these were created in the unique atmosphere found at the close of World War II, a time of both great hopes and realistic expectations. During the Cold War much of the North's foreign and development aid policies served to protect and further their ends in the developing world, specifically to fight the spread of communism. As a result of this, criticism of this type of aid was somewhat muted during this period. The end of the Cold War allowed a more open and vociferous debate about foreign aid. These recent debates will be examined including viewpoints as diverse as security issues, neo-liberal themes, progressive and environmental stances. In conclusion the criticisms and institutional directives, as embodied in their own statements of purpose, will be examined together to determine the validity of the criticisms. Following this a suggestion will be made for debt relief for the poorest countries based on these findings. In contrast to most debt relief programs, this paper will suggest that debt relief be predicated on increased social spending on education and basic health care needs instead of on meeting further fiscal austerity demands.