Ebook: Development Aid Confronts Politics: The Almost Revolution

After decades of denial, the development community now acknowledges that effective assistance requires grappling with the domestic politics of recipient countries. Development agencies are openly promoting political goals alongside traditional socioeconomic ones and trying to apply politically smart methods. Yet considerable controversy and confusion accompany this potential revolution in development aid.

In The Almost Revolution, Thomas Carothers and Diane de Gramont ask whether aid can achieve a productive synthesis of political and socioeconomic concerns. Their thought-provoking study illuminates the multiple meanings of "working politically" in development assistance.

Contents Introduction 1. The New Politics Agenda Early Years: 1960s?1980s 2. Apolitical Roots A New International context: 1990s?2000s 3. The Door Opens to Politics 4. Further on Goals 5. Movement on Methods Attempted Renewal: The Present 6. Politically Smart Development? 7. An Unresolved Debate 8. The Integration Frontier Conclusion 9. The Long Road to Politics