Economics of International Development: Foreign Aid versus Freedom for the World's Poor 2016 (Readings in Political Economy, 6)

Foreign aid and overseas military intervention have been important and controversial political topics for over a decade. The government's controversial target to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on foreign aid has been widely welcomed by some, but strongly criticised by others. Furthermore, the controversy of the Iraq war rumbles on, even today. This is all happening amongst much instability in many parts of the world. In this short book, a number of authors challenge the assumption that we can bring about economic development and promote liberal democracies through direct foreign intervention - whether economic or military intervention. The lead author, William Easterly, drawing on his wide experience at the World Bank and as an academic, is a renowned sceptic of intervention. He points out that solutions proposed now to the problem of poverty are identical to solutions proposed decades ago - but the plans of rich governments simply do not successfully transform poor countries. Academics Abigail Hall-Blanco and Christian Bjornskov add further context and put forward empirical evidence that backs up Easterly's argument.Syvlie Aboa-Bradwell draws upon her own practical experience to give examples of how people in poor countries can be assisted to promote their own development. This book is essential reading for students, teachers and all interested in better understanding how to help - and how not to help - the world's most disadvantaged peoples.

William Easterly is Professor of Economics at New York University and Co-Director of the New York University Development Research Institute, which works to bring high-quality economic research to the problems of world poverty. He has previously worked for the World Bank, the Institute for International Economics and the Centre for Global Development. Professor Easterly has been listed by various magazines as one of the world’s most highly cited researchers, as one of the top 100 global intellectuals and as one of the top 100 scientist stars of Twitter. He has written a number of books about foreign aid and its effect on developing countries. His most recent book, The Tyranny of Experts, was a finalist for the Manhattan Institute’s Hayek Award (which he previously won in 2008 for his book The White Man’s Burden).