The Political Economy of Aid from the Recipient Perspective

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

In an increasingly interconnected global landscape, the dynamics of international aid have become a critical area of study within the realm of International Political Economy. The panel titled "The Political Economy of Foreign Aid from the Recipient Perspective" offers an incisive exploration into this complex interplay of global assistance, particularly emphasizing the experiences and viewpoints of recipient countries. This panel is not only aligned with but also deeply embedded in the American Political Science Association’s overarching theme of "Democracy: Retrenchment, Renovation, & Reimagination." It aims to probe deeply into how international aid influences, and is influenced by, the democratic processes, structures, and political economies of recipient nations.

The panel sets out to challenge traditional notions of foreign aid as a unidirectional flow from donor to recipient. By centering the experiences of the recipients, it uncovers a nuanced landscape where international aid is both a tool and an outcome of complex political and economic negotiations. This approach recognizes the agency of recipient nations, often overlooked in mainstream discourse, and posits that their strategic interactions and decisions significantly shape the global aid architecture.

These studies collectively bring forth a rich tapestry of themes central to understanding the political economy of aid from the recipient's perspective. They highlight how recipient nations are not merely passive recipients but active negotiators and strategists in the global aid system. This nuanced understanding challenges and enriches the traditional donor-centric view of international aid, offering a more balanced and comprehensive perspective.

In line with the conference's theme of reimagining democracy, this panel invites a reevaluation of how international aid interacts with democratic processes in recipient countries. It questions whether aid can sometimes inadvertently reinforce existing power structures or, conversely, serve as a catalyst for democratic change and political renovation. By exploring these dynamics, the panel contributes to a broader understanding of how international aid can either support or hinder democratic processes in developing nations.
Additionally, this panel emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinarity in understanding international political economy. By bringing together scholars from diverse backgrounds, the panel fosters a rich, multidimensional dialogue, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the issues at hand.

"The Political Economy of Foreign Aid from the Recipient Perspective" promises to be a significant contribution to the conference. It offers fresh insights into the complexities of international aid, highlights the agency of recipient countries, and fosters a deeper understanding of how global financial assistance intersects with, impacts, and is shaped by the political and economic realities of recipient nations.

Sub Unit

• Division 16: International Political Economy

Chair

• Lindsay R. Dolan Wesleyan University

Discussant

• Gabriella R. Montinola University of California, Davis

Individual Presentations

• When Do Voters Reward Politicians for Foreign Aid? Experimental Evidence from Malawi - Ryan Steele Jablonski, London School of Economics and Political Science

• Does It Matter to Elites Where Foreign Aid Comes From? Experimental Test - Adea Gafuri, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs

• Do Recipient Countries Compete with Each Other for Foreign Aid? - Paul Un

• Going Public? Aid-Receiving Governments’ Desires to Avoid Publicity for Donor - Jaeyoung Lee, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Power and Populism in Foreign Aid: Twitter as a Tool of Strategic Communication - Susanna Campbell, American University; Karsten Donnay, University of Zurich; Abrehet Gebremedhin, American University; Haley Swedlund, Radboud University Nijmegen