By 2007, the developed countries had given the world’s worst dictators $105 billion in development assistance, but that “investment” had yielded zero return in terms of meaningful economic, social, or political progress. The notion that government-to-government aid can buy a liberal society appears to be little more than wishful thinking.
Christopher J. Coyne is a Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, and Co-Editor of The Independent Review.
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Matt E. Ryan is a Research Fellow with the Independent Institute and Assistant Professor of Economics at Duquesne University.
Defense and Foreign PolicyDiplomacy and Foreign AidInternational Economics and Development
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