In the past fifty years, more than $1 trillion in development-related aid has been transferred from rich countries to Africa. Has this assistan... read full description
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Apr 03, 2009
Dave
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Dead Aid is an interesting, provocative look at the foreign aid industry and its effects on Africa. Dambisa Moyo, who formerly worked for Goldman Sachs and the World Bank, draws a conclusion not unknown to others in the field: development aid (as differentiated from humanitarian aid) has not only done little good for the nations of Africa but has indeed caused great harm. While I don't necessarily disagree with her conclusion, I didn't find her arguments particularly convincing.
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Jul 15, 2010
Beth
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I just finished reading Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo.
Her primary thesis is that not only has aid not helped to end poverty (a view also held by William Easterly: The White Man's Burden and The Elusive Quest for Growth, Peter Bauer, and others) but on balance, aid does more harm than good.
Moyo has a PhD in economics, interestingly obtained under the tutelage of foreign aid advocate, Dr. Paul Collier (The Bottom Billion).
The book is short and quickly glosses over mu More...
Her primary thesis is that not only has aid not helped to end poverty (a view also held by William Easterly: The White Man's Burden and The Elusive Quest for Growth, Peter Bauer, and others) but on balance, aid does more harm than good.
Moyo has a PhD in economics, interestingly obtained under the tutelage of foreign aid advocate, Dr. Paul Collier (The Bottom Billion).
The book is short and quickly glosses over mu More...
Nov 27, 2011
Corey
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Dead Aid, in a well-researched and convincing manner, describes the past and current justifications for humanitarian and development aid in Africa, the drawbacks and failures of this method, and suggests several alternatives for the future. As a layman in the field, I appreciated the clear and coherent writing style and logical construction of the arguments. As a layman, though, I also lack the background to objectively judge the value of the alternate plans she proposes. I do have some unedu
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Jul 09, 2011
I started this book in '09 but picked it up and re-started it again last month, given the context of my hopeful Peace Corps deployment as a business volunteer in Africa. For anyone who isn't really comfortable with the idea of western governments sending billions of dollars in taxpayer money to Africa, where it often ends up in the corrupt hands of warlords, or with the idea, propagated by Bono et al. that Africa needs "saving" through lavish packages of aid, this is a book that will r
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Oct 15, 2010
Ed
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This little book has been a hit with economists who think that the only solution to grinding third world (African) poverty must be market-based. While it makes good points--particularly that humanitarian aid to Africa hasn't worked as a way to start economic development--those points get lost in Moyo's scattershot approach and lack of documentation. I am sure she has read everything available on the subject but there is no bibliography and only sketchy notes so she doesn't tell us where she got
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May 13, 2010
Bill
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This book is extremely troubling and worth reading for that reason alone. What Steve Berkman ("Gods of Lending") does at the 'micro' level - showing how aid agencies may be making things worse because their funds are so vulnerable to corruption - Moyo does at the 'macro' level. She returns again and again to the amount of aid that has been given to African countries over the last 5 decades and points to how little there is to show for it. The contrast between aid to Africa - which has
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Jul 25, 2009
Kim
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I read this book for my research project about Overseas Development Aid (ODA) and had confirmed all the terrible conclusions about ODA that I had drawn from the many other books, articles, reports, etc, that I have read throughout my research. Moyo writes down the things that I'm too scared to say to other people: that the ODA system of the past 40 years is not working, that ODA is largely making things worse, that aid has largely helped horrific dictators stay in power and has assuaged the guil
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May 14, 2010
Lucy
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An extremely neoliberal approach to the problem of development in Africa.
Written by a Zambian economist - educated in the UK & US (you can tell) - the book outlines both the problems with current aid to Africa and suggests how the market can offer a better solution.
It was an extremely interesting read - not least the chapter on China - however, there is no disguising that it is a very one-sided view of the problems facing Africa. Noting the issues with infrastructure and More...
Written by a Zambian economist - educated in the UK & US (you can tell) - the book outlines both the problems with current aid to Africa and suggests how the market can offer a better solution.
It was an extremely interesting read - not least the chapter on China - however, there is no disguising that it is a very one-sided view of the problems facing Africa. Noting the issues with infrastructure and More...
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Aug 22, 2010
Beth Anne
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It's pretty hard to argue with the case made by Dambisa Moyo in Dead Aid. Moyo criticizes the Jeffrey Sachses and the Bonos of the world, and calls for a shift away from (and ultimately, a cessation of) the aid-based development model championed by Western policymakers and pop stars. Dead Aid is a quick read, but packs a powerful punch, demonstrating how aid has done more harm than good to Africa and Africans, and how the answer to SUSTAINABLE and substantial economic growth actually lies in mar
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May 13, 2011
Millicent
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Woah woah woah. First of all, what is with the foreward here? "The simple fact that Dead Aid is the work of an African black woman is the least of the reasons why you should read it. But it is a good reason nonetheless." What Niall Ferguson means here is he found a person with the right national & gender background to prop up as a mouthpiece for his neoliberal economic agenda (which he then gleefully presents in the rest of the forward) and could all the critics calling it colonial
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May 17, 2011
Andy
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I'm sort of mixed about this one. I think there is a lot of truth to what Ms Moyo writes but it hasn't been tested so, as the man in black sang, what is truth. I think she neglects the difficulty in implementing what she proposes. There is also the problem of what to do with the countries that fail for whatever reasons - they choose not to implement her ideas, they do implement some but not all, they do implement and still are poor... what becomes of these countries? More aid? Let them fall
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Jul 07, 2010
Elmhogar
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Current aid transfers have become a key factor in paralysis/corruption of African economies. Incentives for change? Not so much on the African side, but for Western economies, she uses the example of the political pressure used to push the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) 2000 through as a lever. Her Five Year Plan for cold turkey appears a bit brutal for the 'bottom.' But as she notes, the wretchedness continues for them regardless so might as well spin the wheels a bit to get out
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Mar 27, 2011
Leto2
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I liked the premise of Dead Aid, but the delivery wasn't great. The premise is that the world has given hundreds of billions of dollars to Africa during the last half century, but Africa is not any better because of it, and by many measures it's actually much worse.
The book discusses some potential solutions, like increasing foreign direct investment, micro finance, and free trade. The author also suggests cutting off aid over a period of five years or so. I wish her solutions were a b More...
The book discusses some potential solutions, like increasing foreign direct investment, micro finance, and free trade. The author also suggests cutting off aid over a period of five years or so. I wish her solutions were a b More...
May 20, 2010
Alex
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I recently found myself describing this book as "the literary equivalent of tasing Bono." More or less apt, although actually tasing Bono would be more fun.
Anyway: okay, I'm more or less convinced. Moyo makes a convincing case that aid is not helping in Africa. It fosters corruption, with billions of unsupervised dollars up for grabs, and it destroys local economies, keeping Africa in a state of helplessness. Moyo loses me a bit on the solutions end; when she talks abou More...
Anyway: okay, I'm more or less convinced. Moyo makes a convincing case that aid is not helping in Africa. It fosters corruption, with billions of unsupervised dollars up for grabs, and it destroys local economies, keeping Africa in a state of helplessness. Moyo loses me a bit on the solutions end; when she talks abou More...
Jul 29, 2009
Anna
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I liked this book a whole lot. Dambiso Moyo is pretty much saying something that most people think is CRAZY -- she is suggesting that we STOP sending aid to Africa. All of it. Why? Because, she says, it's clearly not working. It doesn't give African governments any incentive to change things, it leads to corruption, and "regular" people never see a dime of it anyway. We need change and one way of doing that is by cutting off aid entirely.
When I first heard this I thought More...
When I first heard this I thought More...
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May 03, 2010
Susan
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Dambisa Moyo provides a new, refreshing, albeit provocative perspective on solutions to issues that have mired Africa in corruption, disease, civil war and poverty for so many years.
She provides a compelling argument to stop providing World bank/IMF/charitable tied aid and encourage Africans and its leaders to step up and work constructively to achieve economic growth.
Her argument focuses on cutting off the overreliance on aid from wealthy donors. The Western's altruistic act More...
She provides a compelling argument to stop providing World bank/IMF/charitable tied aid and encourage Africans and its leaders to step up and work constructively to achieve economic growth.
Her argument focuses on cutting off the overreliance on aid from wealthy donors. The Western's altruistic act More...
Nov 08, 2009
Mark
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This book is simultaneously eloquent, reasoned, and passionate. Dambisa Moyo, argues that international aid is destroying Africa, promoting government corruption and destroying the will for self-government on the continent.
I wish Dead Aid was longer. This reads like a tract (a very good one) rather than a book. Moyo makes several statements that looks like they would have wide application in other economic situations (her description of how aid causes local inflation, for example, More...
I wish Dead Aid was longer. This reads like a tract (a very good one) rather than a book. Moyo makes several statements that looks like they would have wide application in other economic situations (her description of how aid causes local inflation, for example, More...
Jun 26, 2009
Peter
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It is time for Bono and Clinton to step aside and show some true charity. The aid they propose to increase for Africa is dead; it is not only useless, but also directly harmful.
Anyone who truly cares for the millions of people in the nations of Africa, for their lack of water, food and protection from diseases should read this book.
Too many books on the social problems of developing countries have a large chapter, often at the front, on the question of what makes them poo More...
Anyone who truly cares for the millions of people in the nations of Africa, for their lack of water, food and protection from diseases should read this book.
Too many books on the social problems of developing countries have a large chapter, often at the front, on the question of what makes them poo More...
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Sep 14, 2009
Bill
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Her work is at times arrogant and overly simplistic, but the core thesis, that aid encourages corruption, undermines the emergence of a tax base from a middle class and frustates SMEs is well made (if by others who she quotes).
"Increases in foreign aid are correlated with declining domestic savings rates... private foreign capital and investment fall as aid rises...higher aid-induced consumption leads to an environment where much more money is chasing fewer goods... higher infla More...
"Increases in foreign aid are correlated with declining domestic savings rates... private foreign capital and investment fall as aid rises...higher aid-induced consumption leads to an environment where much more money is chasing fewer goods... higher infla More...
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Jul 10, 2011
Michael
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Really enjoyed it. It's no secret that aid to African countries in the form of long-term loans, conditional assistance, etc has been fueling corruption and stifling economic empowerment for decades. Dr. Moyo identifies numerous examples of well-intentioned aid which have enables malfeasance and recommends ways the West can truly help based on proven methods, such as microfinance, China's investments (in terms of infrastructure and education) in Africa, and eliminating farm and other subsidies. I
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Jan 12, 2012
V.E.
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In this book, Dambisa Moyo clearly points out some of the opinions I've held about aid for quite some time. Her arguments have real basis and are compelling. However, I don't believe aid is the source or main problem and I'm not sure that I agree with some of her recommendations, but I do agree that aid is a big problem. Also, I am glad she made the distinction between having a free market and having a democratic state. Ultimately, I think this book should be read by anyone interested in develop
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Jul 30, 2011
Fascinating read....though I had some difficulty in grasping the more intricate points of the analyis. But I'm no economist, and in spite of not "getting" some of the fine detail, I was easily able to understand the main thrust of Moyo's argument. Compelling stuff. Many reviewers have noted that the solutions pointed out in the book are somewhat simplistic ones. However, Africa does have to start somewhere and aid seems ineffective. This book, while it may not contain the perfect answe
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Feb 27, 2011
Alice
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If major books on aid can be thought of as a series (Sachs, Easterly, Collier), this is a follow-up to the trilogy. I agree that aid to Africa is not working as it should and corruption is rampant on the continent. However, Moyo's exaggerated language, contrasting facts that using sources that are more than five years apart, and trite responses to possible criticisms made me want to pull my hair out. I read the entire volume because it's relatively short and I wanted to see if it got better,
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Jul 30, 2011
I think as a theory not a bad provocation to see what would be better for Africa, however in practice I don't think that the solutions offered in this book could make the big change in the short term and "aid is bad" notion is also making the readers confused (even though there is an explanation at the beginning of the book about the difference between development and emergency aid - the text has confused examples of aid). I think completely bashing the aid and offering many financial
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Jul 27, 2010
Dawn
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I was really excited about this book, but ended up pretty disappointed with the result. It is *very* heavy on the economics; if you're not familiar with world markets, macroeconomics and world economic history, it's going to be a challenge for you to get through this.
Also, I felt it was way longer than necessary. I already agreed with her thesis before buying the book, so by the time I'd read the foreword, preface and introduction I was ready to beat myself over the head with the book. More...
Also, I felt it was way longer than necessary. I already agreed with her thesis before buying the book, so by the time I'd read the foreword, preface and introduction I was ready to beat myself over the head with the book. More...
Jan 16, 2011
Jamie
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In my mind, Africa is a child, constantly being manipulated and exploited by the forces of the world. Certainly not an innocent child, but one constantly prevented from fulfilling his/her potential. I agree with the author, we need to empower Africans, not encourage a culture of dependence. I believe however aid is still an important part of the solution, the world just needs better vehicles to deliver this more effectively. Lets put this matter in perspective, perhaps there aren't significa
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Nov 08, 2010
Kyle
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This is one of those books which everyone should read. It's not particularly earth shattering, and from my reading of more serious reviews, it does not present fundamentally innovative or new ideas. However it does so in an accessible and quick to read way.
Basically, the message is that the billions of aid given by western countries has not helped Africa's development, but by making government posts and the control of countries a quite lucrative possession, has encouraged endemic cor More...
Basically, the message is that the billions of aid given by western countries has not helped Africa's development, but by making government posts and the control of countries a quite lucrative possession, has encouraged endemic cor More...
Aug 12, 2011
Michelle
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This little book was packed full of solid evidence that aid is NOT working in Africa, and also full of ideas for how to get economic growth started in Africa based on what is already available and on strategies that have worked in other developing countries. I found it solidly argued although a bit dry. The author is a Zambian woman educated partly in Zambia and partly in the West--it is especially refreshing to hear from an African since it is, after all, THEIR continent, not ours. If only w
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Apr 14, 2010
Anthony
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Moyo's thesis is straightforward: donor aid to Africa has not worked and must be terminated. Reflecting on the outcome of $2 trillion of official aid spent in the twentieth century, a large portion directed to Africa, Dambisa Moyo concludes that aid has not only not worked, but actually worsened the situation in many countries by fueling corruption and igniting a cycle of aid dependence. Moyo's policy advice is sensible enough: seek funds through international capital markets, woo FDI, encoura
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Mar 04, 2010
Magda
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Estimates suggest that Africa loses around US$500 billion each year because of restrictive trade embargoes—largely in the form of subsidies by Western governments to Western farmers.
What China so desperately needs, Africa has: tea in Kenya, coffee in Uganda, beef in Botswana, cashews in Mozambique, cotton in Mali, oil in Gabon—the list goes on and on and on. And, in addition, Africa also accounts for nearly half of the world’s production of bauxite, chrome and diamonds, for more than More...
What China so desperately needs, Africa has: tea in Kenya, coffee in Uganda, beef in Botswana, cashews in Mozambique, cotton in Mali, oil in Gabon—the list goes on and on and on. And, in addition, Africa also accounts for nearly half of the world’s production of bauxite, chrome and diamonds, for more than More...
