Work

Do Corrupt Governments Receive Less Foreign Aid?

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: Critics of foreign aid programs argue that these funds often support corrupt governments and inefficient bureaucracies.Supporters argue that foreign aid can be used to reward good governments.This paper documents that there is no evidence that less corrupt governments receive more foreign aid.On the contrary, according to some measures of corruption, more corrupt governments receive more aid.Also, we could not find any evidence that an increase in foreign aid reduces corruption.In summary, the answer to the question posed in the title is "no."

Source: American Economic Review

DOI: 10.1257/00028280260344669

Authors: Alberto Alesina, Beatrice Weder

Institutions: Harvard University, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Language: English

Topic: International Development and Aid

Subfield: Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Partnerships for the goals

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Foundation, Harvard University, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University