Donor Proliferation to What Ends?

The academic article version of mine and Nilima Gulrajani’s earlier ODI Report is now available ahead of print in CASID’s Canadian Journal of Development Studies:

“Donor proliferation to what ends? New donor countries and the search for legitimacy”

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/PKTWRzyz6a7dKYd6NMjB/full

Abstract:

Despite aid fatigue in the Global North, the number of donor states continues to grow. This article examines the motivations and performance of New Donor Countries (NDCs). Drawing on theories of norm diffusion, we argue that an important driver is new donors’ search for legitimacy as advanced and influential states. A comparison of 26 NDCs with established donors on three metrics of aid levels and quality reveals that NDCs may be adopting the form but not the associated functions and responsibilities of traditional donors. While NDCs are contributing to the viability of global development cooperation, vigilance is required to preserve its robustness.