Overseas Development Aid: introduction

Introduction | Definitions | In favor | Opposed | Internet | Questions

Do less developed societies benefit from the economic assistance of the developed world? Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), commonly called 'Foreign Aid' in the United States, has been a controversial question. Many people feel that it is an essential part of World economic justice, while others believe that it is unproductive and even counterproductive.

Information

Britannica: Foreign Aid 'Foreign Aid' is the term used most commonly by those critical of development assistance, and most of these resources are critical of it. This entry includes a good article on the history and problems of foreign aid as well as a good collection of links

Britannica: Development Assistance' Development Assistance' is the term used most commonly by those in favor of foreign aid, and most of these resources praise its accomplishments.

Britannica: Economic Development An excellent introduction, including an article on the problems of development, an index entry of related topics within Britannica, and a good collection of annotated links.

Britannica: Development in a broader perspective An essay tracing the history of the ideas of economic growth, beginning with the industrial revolution. The article includes information on problems of development and on development in East Asia.

The Debate About Foreign Aid A good summary of the political debate in the United States

Assessing Aid - Rethinking the Money and Ideas of Aid This report from the World Bank says that "in different times and different places has thus been highly effective, totally ineffective, and everything in between." It makes several suggestions about the kinds of assistance that are most helpful. In addition to the report overview, the World Bank makes the full report available in pdf format

Gender Issues in International Development A good collection of links from the International Development Network

Statistics

Human Development Indicators

Percentage of GNP allocated to Overseas Development Assistance Statistical information on poverty, health, and other questions from the United Nations...excellent!

UNDP World Income Inequality Database Information on the amount of aid given by various countries as a percentage of their total economies

Comparative statistics on many countries

What sort of assistance does Japan give other countries? This short essay on Japan's foreign aid expenditures has (at the bottom of the page) an interesting table showing total aid expenditures by several countries

Organizations

USAID International Development Page U.S. government development resources

United Nations Development Program The international organization chartered to 'maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation, harmonizing the actions of nations' - see also the UN's Economic and Social Development site

World Bank The major provider of assistance for developing countries; see especially their 'development topics' page

Yahoo: International Development search Links to Yahoo pages on several topics of interest