Conflict, state fragility and aid effectiveness

Insights from Afghanistan

Bibliographic Data

ID5680665
AuthorsChristoph Zürcher (0000-0003-2610-4310, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume12
Issue5
Pages461-480
Publication date2012-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueConflict Security and Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1467-8802 • E-ISSN: 1478-1174
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14678802.2012.744180
OpenAlexW2090144454
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited14

Aid is rarely an effective development tool in fragile states. This is particularly true of states that are at war, or have recently emerged from violent conflict. Based on research in Afghanistan, this paper examines three possible reasons for this ineffectiveness. First, in fragile states, the interests of donor-peace-builders and recipient governments are seldom aligned: recipients often lack the political will to implement reform, while donors lack the leverage necessary to promote fundamental change. Second, a lack of basic security is one of main impediments to aid effectiveness. At the same time, projects designed to increase security typically have little impact. Finally, aid is more likely to do harm in fragile states than in countries where a reasonably stable government is in place. This is because resource flows are difficult to track in fragile states, and because international actors frequently lack basic information about the host society. As a result, aid often fuels patronage and corruption

Aid effectiveness · Developing country · Development aid · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Fragility · Harm · Humanitarian aid · Insurgency · Language change · Political economy · Political science · Politics · International Development and Aid · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

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