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
Other Independent Review articles by Christopher J. Coyne
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