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Why this Book is Important
Taxpayers in wealthy nations fund a $200 billion international aid and development industry. They believe that these generous contributions are being used wisely to help developing nations strengthen their economies and lift their people out of poverty. International economic development agencies present themselves as torchbearers for a better world. However, as Dr. Saeed Ahmed argues, the reality is starkly different.
Basing his arguments on robust economic data from around the world, and on his high-level work at Pakistan’s central bank and the International Monetary Fund, Dr. Ahmed exposes serious problems in the international aid system.
The author argues that the international economic development system, because it lacks proper accountability measures or success metrics, facilitates endemic corruption, and rampant misallocation and misutilization of money, within recipient nations. Thus, says Dr. Ahmed, the aid usually leaves developing nations in worse condition. As the economic data shows, many developing countries have deteriorated in terms of tax collection, poverty rates, government effectiveness, human development, and access to justice.
Dr. Ahmed calls on taxpayers, policymakers, lawmakers, and leaders of aid organizations to implement major reforms. The Shady Economics of International Aid is a must-read book for anyone who cares about the future of billions of people in developing nations.
Table of Contents
1) That Inspiring (but False) Narrative; 2) A “Noble Cause” or Self-Interest?; 3) The Kingdom of Consultants and Contractors; 4) An Overview of International Aid in Pakistan; 5) Pakistan’s Professionals Outpace Foreign Consultants; 6) The Hijacking of Pakistan’s Self-Sustaining Development Program; 7) The Failure of Foreign-Funded Tax Reforms; 8) International Aid, Energy Reforms, and Debt; 9) Addiction to IMF Programs; 10) Dismal On-the-Ground Realities; 11) Economic Theory, Evidence, and International Aid; 12) Self-Seeking Donors; 13) Do We Really Need International Aid?; 14) A Six-Point Plan for Reforming International Aid
Epilogue | Acknowledgements | About the Author | Bibliography | Endnotes | Index
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aBOUT THE aUTHOR
Dr. Saeed Ahmed has a PhD in economics from Cambridge University. He worked as a chief economist and voting member of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee at the nation’s central bank and then worked as a senior advisor for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board. He has extensive experience working with international aid organizations. Born into a low-income family in rural Pakistan, Dr. Ahmed has a deep compassion for the needs of people in developing nations. He is a contributing writer for Dawn, a leading English-speaking newspaper for Southeast Asia. (See two articles at the links below.)